A question that our Session Clerk, Archie Paterson, is often asked is "Why is it called Norrieston Church and not Thornhill Church?"
"In the mid-1400's, Robert Norry, Steward of the Household in the Court of King James II, was granted 'the rents of the lands of Frew' for his long service to the King. These lands occupied the area to the south from the present Church. Norry rented out pieces of these lands to people who established crofts there, growing into a sizeable hamlet which became known as Norry's Toun. Over the following centuries, this name changed to Norriestown and eventually Norrieston. In 1649, the people of Norrieston, desiring a local place of worship, petitioned the Presbytery of Dunblane to form a Quoad Sacra Parish so they could establish a church there. The Presbytery in turn, petitioned the Scottish Parliament for permission to create a Parish of Norrieston and this was granted. However, local disputes resulted in delays in this being done and the people of Norrieston, tired of waiting for their church, took it upon themselves to build a very basis place of worship on ground gifted to the congregation by Gabriel Norry, a descendent of Robert.
On 10th February 1696, Archibald Napier of Ballinton sold some pieces of land on a ridge to the west of Norrieston. On this land, were built the first houses of the village of Thornhill. The village got its name because of the thorny bushes growing on the ridge. Around 1715, a Military Road was built between Stirling and Inversnaid and this is thought to form the present Main Street of Thornhill. Over the next two centuries, Thornhill became almost self-sufficient with weaving, tanning, whisky distilling and agricultural industries. The large number of inns in the village brought about the formation of a strong Temperance Movement which proved to be very influential. Piped water from surrounding springs to pumps on the Main Street was established early on. By 1859, there were two schools, a Grammar School and a Public School.
The increased population after the establishment of Thornhill, resulted in the need for a larger place of worship and in 1728 a new church was built. As it was not a parish church, it was known as a Chapel of Ease. This building was renovated and enlarged in 1812, and in 1878 it was raised to the status of a Quoad Sacra Parish Church. At this time, it was found that the building was not in good condition and it was decided to raise funds to build a new church. The present Norrieston Church was built during 1879-80 and was united with Norrieston United Free Church in November 1927. Norrieston Church was united with Kippen Church on 4th May 2024 and worship continues in both churches."