NDFHS

The Presbyterian congregation of Sunderland built their first chapel in the Corn Market in the east-end of the town in 1711. By 1735 the congregation had split, when the breakaway congregation established themselves at Robinson Lane. Later chapels were established at Spring Garden Lane (1766), and at Malings Rigg (1777), but it was the Robinson Lane chapel that provided the core members of the Scotch Church at Monkwearmouth. This was established in 1777 also, but doctrinal issues, the reasons behind the original split in the congregation, had no part to play in the establishment of the new congregation. The break from the mother church was amicable, and the reason for establishing the new congregation in Monkwearmouth was as desirable as it was practical. As W.S.G. Johnstone wrote in his 1952 history of the church, From Stable to Steeple:

As there was no bridge over the river, the crossing had to be made by ferry boat. The River Wear made its way to the sea by several branches winding between sand banks; and as there were no outer or inner piers, no North or South Docks, the full fury of storm, tide and wind could be felt in the river crossing. It might be a hazardous undertaking to cross the river at certain times of the year. Indeed, in the year 1795, a ferry boat was capsized with great loss of life, only four or five being saved out of some twenty seven passengers making the crossing.

Apart from the inconvenience and danger of the river crossing, it is clear that the congregation was confident of its ability to support itself. For the first twelve months of its existence it met in a stable near the top of Brewery Bank. Meanwhile, they had secured a lease of land opposite the stable where their first chapel was erected in 1778. The first of three chapels associated with the Scotch Church in Monkwearmouth, it was opened for worship on the 17th of April 1778 by the Rev. William Davison of the Castle Garth Chapel in Newcastle. Known locally as the Ropery Lane or Rope Walk Chapel because of a nearby ropery, the name was changed to the Park Chapel early in the ministry of the Rev. Alexander McFarlane (1803-1813). Park Chapel served the congregation for fifty years.

The move from Brewery Bank to Bridge Road (now North Bridge Street) took place in 1827 after the lease on the Park Chapel had expired. The new church was designed by Newcastle architect John Dobson, and was described in Parson & White's 1828 directory as "a light and elegant stone structure". Incorporated into the fabric of the Scotch Church was timber from the old Park Chapel, which was recycled to make the pews of the new church. This was opened for worship on the 12th of July 1827.

The "New" Scotch Church, the familiar one with the spire that stands today in North Bridge Street, was built on the same site of John Dobson's church, which was demolished in 1891. Construction of this took a year, and it was opened for worship in July 1892.

The baptism register indexed here starts in 1778, continues to 1857, and has the Public Record Office reference RG4/530. A microfilm copy of the register is held by Durham County Record Office.