It stands pleasantly situated close by the sea shore, and is one of the first objects which greets a visitor’s eye approaching the town by the water. It is a neat substantial building, but its front view is completely obscured by an enormous granary, rising in the bloom of its native ugliness, directly opposite. The church was built in 1847 at an expense of about £2700, and was then intended as a chapel of ease to the parish church at Row. It was afterwards considerably enlarged, and is now seated for 800. In July 1862, by a decree of the Court of Teinds, it was erected into a parish church, and Helensburgh attached as a parish quoad sacra. The boundaries of the parish extend on the east to Cardross parish, on the west to Ardencaple, and on the north to the northern boundaries of the farms of Kirkmichael, Stuck, Mallig, Glenan, Easterton, and Woodend. The expense of the endowment was defrayed principally by the munificent bequest of the late James Hutcheson, Esq., long a member of the congregation, amounting to £2000, to which Sir James Colquhoun generously added £300, and the remainder was made up by grant from the General Assembly’s Endowment fund.

The Rev. John Lindsay, the present pastor, was ordained to the charge in 1847.
There is a flourishing school, under superintendence of Mr. John Fraser, in connexion with the church.

A very handsome building, with a graceful spire, in Colquhoun Square, erected from plans furnished by D. Hay of Liverpool 1852. Formerly a square plain erection stood here, built in 1827 by the Old Light Burghers, of whom the Rev. John Anderson was minister. The Rev. Mr. Anderson and his congregation, shortly prior to the Disruption, joined the Establishment, and at the Disruption left it. They secured the church building, and for many years it was the only Free Church in Helensburgh. Mr. Anderson, distinguished both as a preacher and author, has continued minister of this church, but, in consequence of failing health, a colleague, the Rev. Alex. Anderson of Markinch, was in 1863 appointed to the charge, which is a large and increasing one.

There are schools in connexion with the church under superintendence of Mr. Alex. Campbell.

The accommodation for the adherents of the Free Church being found much too limited, a new congregation was formed in 1862, and this church erected. It is also in the Gothic style of architecture. The plans were prepared by John Honeyman, Esq., Glasgow, and the mason work executed by Mr. James M‘Kinnon of Helensburgh. In many respects it is the finest building of the kind in Helensburgh, both as regards beauty of structure and comfort. The Rev. Mr. Carselaw is pastor.

This Christian denomination in 1842 opened a preaching station here, in the Town Hall, and in 1845 erected a place of worship in King Street, now used as a public hall, which was seated for about 450. The Rev. Alexander MacEwan, now of Claremont Church, Glasgow, was ordained minister of it in 1845, and continued in the charge till 1856, when the present pastor, the Rev. David Duff, was ordained. The place of worship being found too small, the one now occupied by them was built and opened in 1861. It occupies a very prominent position on the rising ground, and forms one of the most attractive features to the landscape. It was built by Mr. James M‘Kinnon after plans furnished by William Spence, Esq., architect, Glasgow, and cost upwards of £5000.

This body seem to have erected the first place of worship in Helensburgh. An old building, popularly known as the “Tabernacle,” was erected by them, nearly on the site of the present chapel, in 1802, and remained for many years the only chapel in the place. The first minister of the congregation was the Rev. Mr. Syme, succeeded in 1809 by the Rev. John Edwards, afterwards by the Rev. Mr. Boag, and in 1824 the Rev. John Arthur, one of the present ministers, was ordained to the charge.
In 1858, the Rev. James Troup was chosen colleague. The original chapel was abandoned in 1850, and the present one erected nearly on its site, in James Street.

The Episcopal congregation was founded in Helens-burgh in 1814. In 1843 a church was built and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It is a small, plain edifice in the Tudor style of architecture, standing embosomed in trees and shrubbery. On 22d September 1848, it was consecrated by the Right Rev. John Trower, Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway. It was originally intended to accommodate the Episcopalians of Dumbarton as well as Helensburgh; but there is now an Episcopal church at the former place, and the one here is found small enough for the growing wants of the community. In 1851, a school house was built in connexion with it, and in 1857, a parsonage in William Street. The erection of these was owing chiefly to the exertions of the then incumbent, the Rev. John Bell, who took a very active part in promoting the educational means of the district. The late Rev. John Mackenzie, M.A., was first pastor of the church, succeeded by the Rev. John Bell. The present incumbent is the Rev. John Stuart Syme.