![]() ![]() In addition, upon the death of his uncle, Thomas Somerville, in 1412, he succeeded to the estates of Gilmerton, Drum, and Goodtrees in the Edinburgh vicinity. reached their zenith in territorial possessions in power and influence." He had four baronies: Carnwath in Lanarkshire and Cambusnethan in North Lanarkshire Linton in Roxburgh and Plean in Stirlingshire. Lands Īccording to James, 11th Lord Somerville, author of the history of the Somerville family, it was during the life of Thomas, 1st Lord Somerville, that "the fortunes of the Somerville family. Thomas Somerville probably founded the Collegiate Church at Carnwath with his family burial aisle around 1425–1430, and repaired the church at Linton, Roxburghshire. As Somerville of that Ilk, he sat on the assize at Stirling Castle in May 1425 that condemned Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany. Somerville was also recorded as a Warden of the Scottish Borders in 1424. In 1423 Thomas Somerville, as Lord of Carnwath, came to London as an ambassador to treat for the release of James I of Scotland, who had been captive in England for many years. ![]() 1434), was a Lord of the Parliament of Scotland. Thomas Somerville, 1st Lord Somerville, (d. Somerville letter to the Synod of Canada 28 April 1867, St Andrew's ArchivesĢ.For the Scottish historian, see Thomas Somerville (minister). Board of Managers Report 1868, St Andrew's ArchivesĢ. He played a leading role in responding to the request of St Andrew's for more missionaries to expand the Presbyterian church in British Columbia. He later served as Minister at the historic Blackfriars Church in Glasgow and as head of the Colonial Committee of the Church of Scotland. After arriving in Scotland, he accepted a call from St David's Kirkintilloch and chose to remain in Scotland for the remainder of his life. Somerville obtained permission for a trip to Scotland for the purpose of soliciting additional funds to eliminate the outstanding debt on the new church. In 1872 Weekes was ordained and became the first full time minister at Friday Harbour.Īt the time of the laying of the cornerstone for the new St Andrew's Church in August 1868, Mr Somerville was also the Grand Chaplain of the Masonic Lodge and the ceremony followed the traditions of the Masonic Order. When a new licentiate, Thomas J Weekes arrived in Victoria from San Francisco, Somerville encouraged him to take up work in the San Juan Islands. He regularly conducted services at Friday Harbour on the San Juan Islands during the period of the boundary dispute with the United States often referred to as "the Pig War". In 1868 he spent much of the summer on a mission trip to the Cariboo region (2). ![]() On the island, he preached at Cowichan, Nanaimo, Comox and Alberni (2). Somerville took a broadly missionary view of his role in the colony and constantly sought to expand the reach of the Presbyterian Church. Somerville resigned from First Presbyterian Church to establish a new congregation to be named St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. After some months of discussion and consultation with the Colonial Committee of the Church, Mr. Somerville was alarmed by this action and saw it as at odds with his understanding of the Presbyterian form of church government. This action was taken without consulting the congregation. At a meeting of the congregation in February 1866 it was revealed that three members of the congregation who had held the title to the church building in fee simple had established a trust giving themselves extensive powers over doctrine, discipline and the minister. Unfortunately the agreement to amalgamate soon began to unravel. In the early months, the joint congregation prospered under Mr Somerville's services. In May 1865 the Reverend Thomas Somerville, the Assistant Minister of St James Church Glasgow accepted the call by First Presbyterian Church, Victoria. The Irish and Scottish Churches agreed that since the largest number of colonists were of Scottish descent, the Church of Scotland should take the lead. With the departure of Hall for New Zealand and Nimmo for Canada in 1865, it became obvious that the two congregations would be more effective if amalgamated. ![]() A second congregation was established that same year by the Reverand James Nimmo of Church of Scotland. By November 1863 a new church had been constructed. First Presbyterian Church was established in 1861 by the Reverend John Hall, a missionary from the church in Ireland. In the early 1860's there were two Presbyterian missions in Victoria. ![]()
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