The North UF Church was sometimes referred to as the Townhead Church, due to its position at the head (north) of the town. It was originally known as the Secession Church, then the United Secession Congregation, then the North UP (United Presbyterian), before the UP denomination merged with much of the Free Church to become the United Free Church. It was then the North UF until it merged with the South UF in 1925 and became the Erskine Church, after Ebenezer Erskine, one of the leaders of the First Secession in 1733.

The formation of the congregation dates back to 1786, which met initially in the open air. Their first attempt at a building resulted in some walls but no roof for over a year due to lack of funds. However a traveller passing through in 1786 was impressed with the congregation’s determination and gave them funding for the roof.

The church was rebuilt twice as the congregation grew. The building in the photo below was the third and was completed in 1867. Part of it was badly damaged in 1904 in a fire.

The first minister was Rev John Jardine from Jedburgh who invited children to his manse kitchen on Sunday afternoons, forming the first Sunday School in the south of Scotland.

William Ballantyne (1820-1892) was minister from 1846 until his death in 1892.

Rev George Orr was appointed assistant to Rev William Ballantyne in 1892, who died three months later and was succeeded by George. George was an active individual who co-founded the Eskdale and Liddesdale Archaeological Society, founded the Townhead Literary Society and was the local treasurer for the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.