kirk
A church building in Scotland or the north of England, especially for a Presbyterian group.
In Scottish and some northern English usage, a Christian church building, especially one used by a Presbyterian congregation.
The main Presbyterian church in Scotland, called the Church of Scotland, often written as "the Kirk".
The Church of Scotland, especially when referred to as a national Presbyterian institution, usually written with a capital K as "the Kirk".
- Base: kirk
- Plural: kirks
Free Kirk
1name for a separate Scottish Presbyterian church
A name, especially in Scotland, for a Presbyterian church group that is separate from the Church of Scotland.
- His grandparents were members of the Free Kirk rather than the established church.
- The old Free Kirk building has now been turned into a community centre.
- Tensions once ran high between the Kirk and the Free Kirk in some towns.
go to the kirk
1attend a service in a kirk
To attend a Christian religious service in a kirk (a Scottish church building).
- Every Sunday they go to the kirk as a family.
- When we stayed with my aunt, she took us to go to the kirk on Christmas morning.
- Fewer young people now go to the kirk than in their grandparents’ time.
kirk session
1local church court in the Kirk
The group of elders and the minister who manage and make decisions for a local Church of Scotland congregation.
- The kirk session will discuss the proposal at its next meeting.
- Complaints were brought before the kirk session for consideration.
- She was recently ordained as an elder and now sits on the kirk session.
the Kirk
1fixed name for Church of Scotland
A short name for the Church of Scotland, the main Presbyterian church in Scotland.
- The decision has caused intense discussion within the Kirk.
- Many rural communities still look to the Kirk for moral guidance.
- She hopes the Kirk will become more open and welcoming in the future.