The union of Finnart Church with St Paul’s Church took place on 15th March 1978.

Both congregations had existed, almost side by side, (Finnart in Madeira Street and St Paul’s on the corner of Bentinck Street and Newark Street), for about a hundred years. St Paul’s was formed in 1878 and Finnart, shortly afterwards, in 1883.

As the twentieth century progressed, the burden of maintaining two buildings, two manses and two ministers became more and more difficult. Church membership was falling and, as one by one the mansion houses in the west end were sold off, so the generous donations the churches had frequently enjoyed, were no longer available. Eventually, it became clear the sensible and cost-effective solution, was for the two congregations to pool their resources and become one.

Much heart searching and debate preceded the change. Many had misgivings that a united congregation might well end up only marginally larger than the two original ones. In the event, however, very few failed to adhere to the new united congregation. The choice of building was also a bone of contention and the compromise ultimately reached was to use St Paul’s building with Finnart’s Minister, the Rev Johnstone Mackay, together with the new name of Finnart St Paul’s.