free church

American  

[free church] / ˈfri ˈtʃɜrtʃ /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letters) a church free from state control.

2. (sometimes initial capital letters) a dissenting or nonconforming church.

3. (initial capital letters) Also Free Kirk (in Scotland) the church established by those who left the Church of Scotland in 1843.

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Free Church British  

noun

1. 1. any Protestant Church, esp the Presbyterian, other than the Established Church

   2. ( as modifier )

      Free-Church attitudes

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Etymology

Origin of free church

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

"True compassion does not mean helping someone to die, but committing ourselves to care for them in life," write a coalition of senior clergy from denominations including the Church of Scotland, the Roman Catholic Church and the Free Church of Scotland in an open letter to MSPs.

From BBC

Free Church pastor Reverend Gordon Matheson knew MacDonald and said the time taken for an armed response "is too long".

From BBC

The Reverend Gordon Matheson, who was a local Free Church pastor, had known MacDonald because their children were about the same age.

From BBC

There is a strong tradition of Christian church-going on Lewis - and neighbouring Harris - with the Church of Scotland and Free Church predominant.

From BBC

As a member of the Presbyterian Free Church of Scotland, she saw her campaign against Mr Yousaf blown off course by her socially conservative views on marriage, abortion and gender.

From BBC