A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Unchurch, v. [17th c. Eng. unchurch (a1620).] tr. a. To remove (persons) from membership of a church. Only absol. b. To deprive (a church) of its status as a church; to deny the religious authority or validity of (a church). —a. a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. (1660) 91.
The church-authorities might excommunicate and un-church for spiritual offences —b. 1659-60 A. Hay Diary 151.
Its no small thing to unchurch ane church 1712 Dunkeld Presb. II 282.
He … most uncharitably unchurches all the protestant churches who disown prelacy
