In the late nineteenth century there was a division within The Free Church with some of the denomination deciding to join with the United Presbyterian Church, and in so doing forming The United Free Church.
This division raised the issue of whether The Free Church or The United Free Church would retain the title to the properties. This took years to settle and was eventually decided by the House of Lords, who found in favour of The Free Church in 1904.
The United Free Church wouldn’t have a church of their own until one was built in Laxay in 1911. In the meantime they worshipped either in the Manse or the open air, though a temporary wooden church was built for them in 1906.
This fascinating newspaper article from The British Newspaper Archive documents a dispute between the denominations over joint occupancy of The Free Church just days after the House of Lords made their decision in 1904. It gives us a snapshot of the immediate aftermath when clearly their were strong feelings on both sides. As the article indicates, ultimately joint occupancy was not successful.