free church


noun

(sometimes initial capital letters) a church free from state control. Compare established church.
(sometimes initial capital letters) a dissenting or nonconforming church.
(initial capital letters) Also Free Kirk. (in Scotland) the church established by those who left the Church of Scotland in 1843.

Origin of free church

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

British Dictionary definitions for free church

Free Church

noun

mainly British
  1. any Protestant Church, esp the Presbyterian, other than the Established Church
  2. (as modifier)Free-Church attitudes