THE erection of St. Andrew’s Episcopal
Chapel in AD. 1750, and which still stands facing
the Green, called forth an act of narrow-minded prejudice and
intolerance of the most ludicrous character, which to readers of this
more liberal minded generation will appear hardly credible.
Andrew Hunter, one of the masons, happened to be a
member of what was the oldest Burgher congregation
here, then called the Shuttle Street Secession Congregation, (and
latterly Greyfriars U.P. Church in North Albion Street).
The circumstances are set forth in the following
minute copied from their records of session, 26th
April, 1750.
"The session, understanding by the moderator and some
members of the session, that they had conversed privately with Andrew
Hunter, mason, a member of this congregation, who had engaged to build
the Episcopal meeting-house in this place, and have been at great pains
in convincing him of the great sin and scandal of such a practice; and
the session, understanding that notwithstanding thereof he has actually
begun the work, they therefore appoint him to be cited to the session,
at their meeting on Thursday, after sermon."
Andrew Hunter did go on with the "great sin" of
building the Episcopal meeting-house, and the moderator and session
having failed to open his eyes to "the scandal of such a practice," he
was forthwith excommunicated.
