The Free Church of Scotland has ‘regretted’ the church’s historical links with slavery.

In a statement released during the denomination’s General Assembly, the church said it is “firmly opposed to all forms of racism and slavery” and acknowledges the “historical sins” of members.

“In particular we express regret over the interaction between members of a Free Church delegation that visited the USA in 1844 and some of their US associates. We grieve that the Free Church decided to receive funds as a result of the delegation,” the statement continued.

The church recently acknowledged ties to historical slavery after The Guardian reported that in 1853, it received an £18,000 bequest from James Ewing, a Glaswegian with Caribbean slave plantations.

Historian Anthony Cooke said this money was used to build churches and training facilities in Edinburgh and Glasgow, which the church no longer owns. Today, the bequest would be worth £1.9 million.

The church’s statement continued: “Even though we, as the Free Church today, are unlikely to be the beneficiaries of these funds due to the various transfers of property to other denominations, yet as their successors we acknowledge with sorrow the actions of our forebears who held the name of Free Church office holders. We express gratitude for the many Free Church members and office holders who actively opposed the slave trade and expressed opposition to it.

“The Free Church affirms the necessity for constant watchfulness against oppression in various forms, and we continue to commit ourselves to the opposition of modern-day slavery and racism.”

The Free Church of Scotland, formed in 1843 by ministers who left the Church of Scotland due to state interference, has over 100 congregations in Scotland, North America, and London.