A number of disaffected Free Church members have invited the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland (RPCS) to commence regular Sunday services on Lewis.
One possible venue is the small prayer meeting house on Perceval Road in Culnagrein, Stornoway.
Rev David Karoon is due to start regular Sunday services from this weekend.
The island parishioners are breaking away from the Free in favour of the RPCS services If interest grows sufficiently a permanent RPCS church may be constituted and a permanent minister would then be sought.
The development follows the Free Church’s controversial decision to accept hymns and music.
Last week, Mr Karoon, who comes from Singapore, resigned as pastor of Arran Free
Church because he was opposed to it abandoning its traditional psalm-
A Reformed Presbyterian spokesman confirmed: “Presbytery met on Saturday the 2nd July and accepted Rev David Karoon's application to become a minister in the RPCS.”
Rev Andrew Quigley, minister of the Airdrie RP Church and presently preaching in America, said the Scottish RP Church's decision to plant a church in Stornoway was taken because a number of Christians asked them to do so.
He added that it was a decision motivated solely by a positive desire to proclaim the Gospel.
He said: “Our goal, by God's grace and for His glory, is to see sinners converted to Christ and become committed followers of the Lord."
It is believed at least one elder has resigned from Stornoway Free Church with a view to joining the rival denomination.
The tiny Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland (RPCS) is now on its way to double its number of churches as a result of the internal anger within the Free Church over ditching exclusive psalm singing and no musical instruments.
Admittingly the RPCS only had two small constituted churches in Scotland.
But Rev Kenneth Stewart, of North Uist and Glasgow, is now heading a brand new third congregation in the Hebridean area of Westend Glasgow. The church, the first new Scottish RP church plant in 140 years, was formalised on 22nd May.
Formerly at Stornoway and Scalpay and, for past ten years or so, at Dowanvale Free
in Glasgow, the 48-
Though he was last on Lewis recently on behalf of the RPCS he will not be on the island on the run up to the new church services.
Breakaway congregation start services in Stornoway 7/7/11
