In 1733 this First (“Original”) Secession began to affect Dalkeith in a profound way. Locally open-air services began to be held in fields, by ardent Presbyterians opposed to Patronage, thus breaking away from the mainstream Church.

A further step was the Second Secession in 1761 and formation of the Relief Church. This was a popular movement “for relief of Christians opposed to their privileges” i.e. opposition to existing church-state relationship which held control of administration and custom. In 1767-1768 this group erected the Relief Church in North Wynd. The site is now occupied by Dalkeith Baptist Church. This was a two storey building with a gallery, and an earthen floor. It soon became crowded with enthusiastic worshippers. By 1770 the congregation became organized, and was placed under a group called the Society of Relief. The first minister was Rev.Robert Hutchison. Further national Disruption against the legal Patronage Act in 1843, created the definitive Free Church formation separate and distinct from the “Established” Church of Scotland. The famous Dr. Thomas Chalmers had led a third of the ministers out of the annual General Assembly, a large group which also included elders, teachers, missionaries, and communicant members. They met in Tanfield Hall, and he became the first Moderator of the Free Church, having been Moderator of the “Established” Church Assembly in 1832.

After the Disruption, in 1842-1843 a group of followers of the Free Church in Dalkeith, met together and formed a Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Society, which gathered for meetings and worship in various venues including the Charity Workhouse, Back Street, a classroom in the Grammar School, the Mess Hall of Mushet’s Foundry in Croft Street, now the site of King’s Park Primary School, and the “Independent Chapel” of the United Association Secession Church, also in Back Street. They found an ideal site in May 1843 in Buccleuch Street and St. John’s Free Church was planned. Communion silverware still exists from this time, before the new building was actually completed. Final building cost was £504, and it required additional enlargement in 1848. Following the later union with King’s Park Church, this building was used as a public entertainment hall for concerts, lantern slides, etc. Finally it was demolished in the 1930’s, and the Playhouse cinema was erected, and it is now a snooker hall.

St John’s Free Church had a congregation of 800, with income mainly from pew rent in a non-conformist movement. This Church became increasingly active, with strict conduct controlled and meted out by Kirk Session, and loyal, generous financial support. Inspiring, energetic ministry led to the establishment of daughter missions in Eskdaill Street, the Dalkeith Band of Hope – 600 roll one of largest in Scotland, Pathhead village several miles away, and in Newtongrange, the expanding mining community. 1843 the Free Church created a “fee paying” school for it’s membership, 3 shillings per month, but free for those parents with inadequate finance. It was held in Back Street (now St.Andrew’s Street). Eventually this became part of the United Free Church, thence known as U.F.Church.

There was Union of Secession and Relief Churches at national level in 1847. A definitive step occurred in 1869-70 with growing churches requiring new premises. The Duke of Buccleuch gifted land at the edge of the King’s Park, and our present building was constructed. It was called the West United Presbyterian Church. Colloquially this was known on a national scale as the U.P. The first minister was the active and most able Rev. Dr. John Macfarlane, originally minister at St. John’s Church. All went well, until several factors, including the illhealth of ministers, falling congregation numbers and financial limitations led to further developments in Dalkeith churches.

In 1911 sound rationalization and judgment occurred with creation of St.John’s & King’s Park Church by Union of St. John’s U. F. Church, with good finance but insufficient accommodation, and King’s Park or West U.P. Church, with good accommodation but insufficient finance. This was a successful plan. All went very well and this led to more expansion in 1911-12 with additional buildings planned and built, the large hall and Church Officer house. The 1902 Ingram Hope-Jones excellent organ was moved from U.F. Church to the now United site, as well as the Church bell.

On 4th February 1912 there were Rededication Services to sanctify the reopening to United Congregations, with huge enthusiasm, massive financial support. The cost of alterations was £1,600, collections that day were £1,200, a striking Christian liberality. The Sanctuary was enhanced in 1939 with specially commissioned stain-glass windows created by the celebrated William Wilson, These were gifts made by Mr. Peter Lyle, proprietor of the Dalkeith Advertiser, and were installed in 1946 after the War. They had been stored for safety in Dalkeith Palace. The Lyle Family also generously gifted the communion table.

1970 saw major and enthusiastic Centenary Celebrations.

2007, large hall and office reconstruction, new kitchen and toilet accommodation, including disabled provision has been completed. The excellent facilities already in maximum use are even more flexible and more widely available for Church organizations and community groups. St.John’s & King’s Park Parish Church thrives.

In a succession of so many gifted ministers mention might be made of Very Rev. Dr. Andrew Doig, Moderator of General Assembly 1981, minister here 1963-1972.