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

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

A member of the Free Church of Scotland, she said that having children outside of marriage was "wrong" according to her faith.

From BBC

Ms Forbes, who narrowly lost out to Mr Yousaf in the 2023 leadership contest, was criticised during the campaign for revealing she would have voted against gay marriage legislation had she been an MSP at the time due to her religious beliefs as a member of the Free Church of Scotland.

From BBC