THE CHURCH of Scotland’s longest-serving woman elder has been honoured for her commitment and dedication since she was ordained in Culross 38 years ago.

Mrs Barbara Hepburn (87) made history in 1966 when she was one of seven ladies who were the first in the country to become elders.

Back in the 60s, the Rev Andrew Morton was determined to put Culross and Torryburn on the map as the first parish to ordain women as elders after the General Assembly changed its regulations. Not all of the congregation agreed with the minister’s progressive approach.

Of the seven, Mrs Hepburn is the only surviving member of the group. She was recently presented with a certificate by the Moderator of the General Assembly, Dr Alison Elliot, and flowers from the Good Companions group.

Mrs Hepburn said, “In the 60s they started pressing for more women to come into the church, not just as guild members but as members of the session. Everything was so new for us at the time but we just took things as they came. It was quite exciting because it was picked up by the national papers.”

Over the years, Mrs Hepburn has seen many changes in the church, not all of which she believes have been necessary.

“I’ve learned quite a lot about people over the years, and the church has been changing so much these last 30 years,” she said.

“There are younger people coming in now and they don’t want to carry on like us old fogies.”