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                  Churches – Presbyterian Churches in Scotland

                  The adoption of Presbyterianism as the preferred system of church government for the Church of Scotland was the eventual outcome of a polarising struggle between Episcopalians and Presbyterians. The Reformation began with the Confession of Faith Ratification Act, 1560, accompanied by the abolition of papal jurisdiction and the mass.[1] On the accession of James VI, a series of acts in 1567 further consolidated the new protestant church, leading to the use of the term, ‘Established Church’ and the abolition of bishops.[2] Following the union of the crowns in 1603, bishops were reintroduced in 1606.[3] Charles I subsequently ratified this in 1633.[4] Bishops were abolished at the time of the National Covenant in 1638 and reinstated by Charles II in 1662.[5] Following the replacement of James VII by William III and Mary II, Presbyterianism was established as the system of church government of the national church by the Confession of Faith Ratification Act, 1690.[6]

                  Ministers were required to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith from 1690. Bishops were prevented from taking income from their former dioceses and in 1695 were prevented from conducting baptisms or marriages.[7] In 1712 the Toleration Act declared it lawful for Episcopalians to meet for worship and use the English Prayer book, abolished the 1695 Act against irregular baptisms and marriages, and required all clergy of the Established Church and the Episcopalian Church to take an oath of allegiance to Queen Anne (thus renouncing any Jacobite allegiances).[8] This effectively resulted in the formation of the Episcopal Church in Scotland as a separate church from the Church of Scotland.

                  Despite the ascendancy of Presbyterianism in the 1690 Revolution Settlement, some Presbyterians believed that this was too great a compromise and that the Church of Scotland had become unacceptably subordinate to the state. These dissenters, who continued to subscribe to the Solemn League and Covenant, were known as Cameronians, grouped themselves into Societies and in 1743 became the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland.[9]

                  Dissent within Presbyterianism, mainly over church-state relations, caused secessions from the Church of Scotland and the formation of a number of smaller Presbyterian churches. Several of these churches subsequently also had disagreements and separated from each other, forming new churches, and some then united with other secession churches. In almost every such union, a minority declined to enter the new church and remained as a separate denomination.

                  In 1921 the Church of Scotland formally changed its constitution by the adoption of the Articles Declaratory which included statements about the right of the church to be independent of civil authority and this was passed into civil law by the Church of Scotland Act 1921.[10] This change in position on church-state relations allowed the majority of the United Free Church to unite with the Church of Scotland in 1929.[11]

                  The main Presbyterian secession churches were as follows:

                  • Associate Synod: This secession in 1733 was led by the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, a minister in Stirling who preached against the system of patronage where ministers were nominated to congregations by a patron, usually the main local landowner, rather than being called by the congregation.[12]
                    • The Associate Synod then divided in 1747 over the issue of the oaths that burgesses had to take in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. Those who supported the oath (Burghers) kept the name of the Associate Synod and those who opposed it (Antiburghers) became known as the General Associate Synod.[13]
                    • The Associate Synod (burghers) subsequently divided again in 1799 over beliefs about the role of secular authorities in upholding religion: voluntarism versus state support. Those who separated formed the Original Associate Synod and became known as Auld Lichts. Those who remained in the Associate Synod became known as New Lichts.[14]
                    • In 1806 the same issue divided the General Associate Synod (antiburghers). The majority were Auld Lichts and formed a new church, the Constitutional Associate Presbytery. The minority, who were New Lichts, continued as the General Associate congregation.[15]
                    • In 1820 most of the New Licht antiburgher and burgher congregations agreed to unite as the United Associate Synod of the Secession Church. However, not everyone supported this union and the dissenters formed a Society of Protestors. [16] In 1827 this General Associate Synod of Protestors (who were New Licht antiburghers) united with the Constitutional Associate Synod (who were Auld Licht antiburghers) to form the Associate Synod of Original Seceders.
                    • In 1842 the Associate Synod of Original Seceders (ie: Auld Licht antiburgers) united with the Original Associate Synod (ie: Auld Licht burgers) to form the Synod of United Original Seceders but confusingly they were also known as the United Associate Synod of the Secession Church.
                    • Also in 1842, the Rev J Morison left the United Associate Synod of the Secession Church (that is, the 1820 union) and formed the Evangelical Union Church. This church split in 1896 with part remaining independent and part joining the Scottish Congregational Union.[17]
                  • Relief Church: This secession in 1761 was led by the Rev. Thomas Gillespie, former minister at Carnock, Rev. Thomas Boston, minister at Jedburgh, and Rev. Thomas Collier, who were opposed to the system of patronage.[18]
                  • United Presbyterian Church: This church was formed in 1847 by a union of the United Associate Secession Church and the Relief Church.[19]
                  • Free Church of Scotland: This secession in 1843 led by Rev. Thomas Chalmers saw about a third of the membership and ministers leave the Church of Scotland over the issue of patronage and church-state relations.[20]
                    • In 1852 part of the Synod of United Original Seceders joined the Free Church of Scotland. However, part continued and as the United Original Secession Church it re-united with the Church of Scotland in 1956.[21]
                    • In 1876 most of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland joined the Free Church of Scotland. However, a minority remained in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland and this church continues in existence today.[22]
                    • Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland: This was a secession from the Free Church of Scotland in 1893, resulting from a disagreement over how strictly the church should adhere to the Westminster Confession of Faith.[23]
                      • A small group seceded from the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1989 and formed the Associated Presbyterian Churches, following a controversy over how strictly the Westminster Confession of Faith should be applied in relation to attendance at a Roman Catholic mass.[24]
                    • United Free Church of Scotland: This church was formed in 1900 by the union of the majority of the Free Church of Scotland and the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland. However, a minority of the Free Church of Scotland remained outside the union and following a decision by the House of Lords, kept the right to the name and to the property. In 1929 the majority of the United Free Church of Scotland went into union with the Church of Scotland but a minority remained outside the union and kept the name.[25]

                  The records of secession congregations usually date from the first meeting of the kirk session after their secession from the previous church and often they include a statement about the reasons for their secession. When these congregations went into a union with another church, they usually continued to use the same minute books and other records, simply noting the new name of the church they now belonged to at the start of the first meeting of the kirk session following the union.

                  Records of the Church of Scotland (including former churches which entered union in 1929 and 1956) are the responsibility of the National Records of Scotland (NRS). However, where possible, the records of congregations and presbyteries are transferred to local authority archives so that they are accessible locally.  These arrangements are under agreements where the records are held under the charge and superintendence of NRS, which allocates the reference codes and ensures they remain in good condition.  From time to time, records under charge and superintendence may be recalled to NRS for conservation or other purposes.  The NRS catalogue should therefore be consulted to check where Church of Scotland records are located (reference codes beginning CH).

                  Compiler:  Elspeth Reid (2021)

                  Related Knowledge Base entries

                  Presbyteries

                  Synods

                  Kirk Sessions

                  Kirk Session records

                  Bibliography

                  Barr, James, The United Free Church of Scotland (Allenson & Co, 1934)

                  Brown, Callum G., Religion and Society in Scotland since 1707 (Edinburgh University Press, 1997)

                  Burleigh, J. H. S., A Church History of Scotland (Oxford University Press, 1960)

                  Cheyne, A. C., The Transforming of the Kirk: Victorian Scotland’s Religious Revolution (Saint Andrew Press, 1983)

                  Couper, W. J., The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland: Its congregations, ministers and students (Scottish Church History Society, 1925)

                  Drummond, Andrew L. & James Bulloch, The Scottish Church 1688-1843 (Saint Andrew Press, 1973)

                  Drummond, Andrew L. & James Bulloch, The Church in Victorian Scotland, 1843-1874 (Saint Andrew Press, 1975)

                  Drummond, Andrew L. & James Bulloch, The Church in Late Victorian Scotland, 1874-1900 (Saint Andrew Press, 1978)

                  Hutchison, Matthew, The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland: Its origin and history, 1680-1876 (J. & R. Parlane, 1893)

                  McKerrow, John, History of the Secession Church Vols 1 & 2 (Oliphant & Son, 1839)

                  McPherson, Alexander, History of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland (1893-1970) (Publications Committee, Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, [1975])

                  Muirhead, Andrew T. N., Reformation, Dissent and Diversity: The Story of Scotland’s Churches 1560-1960 (Bloomsbury, 2015)

                  Scott, D., Annals and Statistics of The Original Secession Church (Edinburgh, 1887)

                  Small, Robert, History of the Congregations of the United Presbyterian Church 2 vols (David M. Small, 1904)

                  Struthers, Gavin, The History of the Rise, Progress and Principles of the Relief Church embracing notices of the other Religious Denominations in Scotland (A Fullarton & Co, 1843)

                   

                  References

                  [1] Confession of Faith Ratification Act, 1560, The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, [RPS], ed. by K.M. Brown and others (University of St Andrews, 2007-2021), A1560/8/3, <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/A1560/8/3 > [accessed 28 Dec 2021].

                  [2] Concerning the abolishing of the pope and his usurped authority, 1567, RPS, A1567/12/1 <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/A1567/12/1>; Concerning the annulling of the acts of parliament made against God, his word and maintenance of idolatry in any times past, 1567, RPS, A1567/12/2 <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/A1567/12/2>; The Confession of the Faith and doctrine believed and professed by the Protestants of the realm of Scotland, RPS, A1567/12/3.<http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/A1567/12/3>; Concerning the abolition of the mass and the punishment of all that hears or says the same, 1567, RPS, A1567/12/4. < http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/A1567/12/4 >; Concerning the true and holy kirk and of them that are declared not to be of the same, 1567, RPS, A1567/12/5. <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/A1567/12/5> [all accessed 29 December 2021].

                  [3] Act regarding the restitution of the estate of bishops,1605, RPS, 1605/6/31 <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1605/6/31> [accessed 29 December 2021].

                  [4] Ratification of the acts touching religion, 1633 RPS, 1633/6/19 <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1633/6/19 > [accessed 29 December 2021].

                  [5] Act for the restitution and re-establishment of the ancient government of the church by archbishops and bishops, 1662, RPS, 1662/5/9 <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1662/5/9> [accessed: 29 December 2021].

                  [6] Confession of Faith Ratification Act, 1690 (c.7) < http://www.legislation.gov.uk/aosp/1690/7 > [accessed 30 Mar 2021].

                  [7] Act against irregular baptisms and marriages, 1695, RPS, 1695/5/118 <http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1695/5/118 > [accessed 29 December 2021].

                  [8] Act to prevent disturbing of those of the Episcopal Communion [Toleration Act] 1712 (10 Anne c.7)

                  [9] W. J.  Couper, The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland: Its congregations, ministers and students (Scottish Church History Society, 1925), pp. 5, 9; J. H. S. Burleigh, A Church History of Scotland (Oxford University Press, 1960), pp. 263-64.

                  [10] Church of Scotland Act 1921 (11 & 12 Geo. V c. 29)

                  [11] Burleigh, A Church History of Scotland pp. 403-04.

                  [12] Andrew L. Drummond & James Bulloch, The Scottish Church 1688-1843 (Saint Andrew Press, 1973), pp. 40-42; Callum G. Brown, Religion and Society in Scotland since 1707 (Edinburgh University Press, 1997) pp. 22-24.

                  [13] Drummond & Bulloch, The Scottish Church 1688-1843, pp. 110-11; John McKerrow, History of the Secession Church Vol. 1 (Oliphant & Son, 1839) pp. 273-95, 311.

                  [14] McKerrow, History of the Secession Church Vol. 2, pp. 300-29.

                  [15] McKerrow, History of the Secession Church Vol 2, pp. 340-42.

                  [16] Drummond & Bulloch, The Scottish Church 1688-1843 p. 151; McKerrow History of the Secession Church Vol 2 pp. 388-413.

                  [17] Brown, Religion and Society in Scotland since 1707, p. 29.

                  [18] Drummond & Bulloch, The Scottish Church 1688-1843, p. 151; Brown, Religion and Society in Scotland since 1707, pp. 24-25; Gavin Struthers The History of the Rise, Progress and Principles of the Relief Church embracing notices of the other Religious Denominations in Scotland (A Fullarton & Co, 1843), pp. 154-62.

                  [19] Drummond & Bulloch, The Scottish Church 1688-1843, p. 151.

                  [20] National Records of Scotland CH18/2 Act of Separation and Deed of Demission signed by the ministers and elders adhering to the Free Church of Scotland, 23 May 1843.

                  [21] Very Rev Hugh Watt, D.D., D.Litt., ‘The accession of the United Original Seceders, 24 May 1956’ in The Church of Scotland Yearbook, 1957 ed. by Rev Joseph S. Easton, (Church of Scotland Publications, 1957), p. 4.

                  [22] Brown, Religion and Society in Scotland since 1707, p.29.

                  [23] Burleigh, A Church History of Scotland, pp. 360-61.

                  [24] Brown, Religion and Society in Scotland since 1707, p. 173.

                  [25] Burleigh, A Church History of Scotland, pp. 367-69, 403-04.