The Free Kirk, 1849 (oil on canvas)

The Free Church of Scotland was formed in 1843 when 450 ministers broke away from the established Church of Scotland in protest over the right of a wealthy patron to install a minister of his or her choice in a parish. This was seen as an infringement of the spiritual independence of the church. They then had to run a national church from scratch, without buildings or finance. The scene depicted in the painting illustrates the simple, often outdoor, worship that was typical of the Free Church. An old couple are shown with their three dogs, one of whom is said to be the artist’s dog, Lassie.