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Scotland Church Records Union Lists (view source)
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Though Presbyterianism has been the established form of worship in Scotland since 1690, all has not been well within its ranks. Much of the disagreement was over the question of ''patronage'', i.e. who had the right to choose a new minister when a previous one died or departed for another position. Oft times the local patron (land owner and supporter of the minister) had the right but chose not to exercise it. The members of the congregations felt they had the right to select a new minister. When the issue was referred to higher authority, the General Assembly of the Church often granted the right only to the elders of the church or to the local land owners called ‘heritors’ (because they inherited their property). Many disagreements arose. Members of congregations often refused to accept the decision of the General Assembly. The first great secession from the Church occurred in 1733 over this question of ''patronage''. Four ministers of the established church left and formed the Associate Presbytery, also known as the Secession Church. | Though Presbyterianism has been the established form of worship in Scotland since 1690, all has not been well within its ranks. Much of the disagreement was over the question of ''patronage'', i.e. who had the right to choose a new minister when a previous one died or departed for another position. Oft times the local patron (land owner and supporter of the minister) had the right but chose not to exercise it. The members of the congregations felt they had the right to select a new minister. When the issue was referred to higher authority, the General Assembly of the Church often granted the right only to the elders of the church or to the local land owners called ‘heritors’ (because they inherited their property). Many disagreements arose. Members of congregations often refused to accept the decision of the General Assembly. The first great secession from the Church occurred in 1733 over this question of ''patronage''. Four ministers of the established church left and formed the Associate Presbytery, also known as the Secession Church. | ||
In 1746, a division arose among the ministers and members of the Secession Church over a religious clause in the oath taken by burgesses (tradesmen and citizens) in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. The oath required them to accept the "true religion presently professed within this realm." Opinion differed as to whether this referred to the Protestant religion in general or to the Established Church. Those who understood the oath in the first sense came be known as the 'Burghers.' Opposed to them were the 'Anti-Burghers' who refused to take the oath. In 1747 the church split into two synods: The Associate (Burgher) and the General Associate (Anti-Burgher) Synods. This occurrence is known as the ‘Breach.’ | In 1746, a division arose among the ministers and members of the Secession Church over a religious clause in the oath taken by burgesses (tradesmen and citizens) in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. The oath required them to accept the "true religion presently professed within this realm." Opinion differed as to whether this referred to the Protestant religion in general or to the Established Church. Those who understood the oath in the first sense came to be known as the 'Burghers.' Opposed to them were the 'Anti-Burghers' who refused to take the oath. In 1747 the church split into two synods: The Associate (Burgher) and the General Associate (Anti-Burgher) Synods. This occurrence is known as the ‘Breach.’ | ||
In about 1800 both of the synods had divisions again over the question of the role of secular authorities. Those who held that secular authorities should uphold the actions of the church came to be known as ‘Old Lights.’ Those who believed that secular authorities had no power in matters of religion were known as ‘New Lights.’ In 1820, the New Lights from both the Associate and General Associate synods came together and formed the ''United Secession Church''. In 1839, most of the General Associate Old Lights rejoined the Church of Scotland. There were some in each case who did not accept the decisions of the majority, but their history is too complicated to discuss in this brief outline. A more detailed history is given in Don Steel’s ''Sources for Scottish Genealogy and Family History'' (Brit. Ref. Book 942 V26ste vol. 12.). Much of the information in this background overview is taken from this source. | In about 1800 both of the synods had divisions again over the question of the role of secular authorities. Those who held that secular authorities should uphold the actions of the church came to be known as ‘Old Lights.’ Those who believed that secular authorities had no power in matters of religion were known as ‘New Lights.’ In 1820, the New Lights from both the Associate and General Associate synods came together and formed the ''United Secession Church''. In 1839, most of the General Associate Old Lights rejoined the Church of Scotland. There were some in each case who did not accept the decisions of the majority, but their history is too complicated to discuss in this brief outline. A more detailed history is given in Don Steel’s ''Sources for Scottish Genealogy and Family History'' (Brit. Ref. Book 942 V26ste vol. 12.). Much of the information in this background overview is taken from this source. | ||
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In 1876 many of the ministers and membership of the Reformed Church (Cameronians) united with the Free Church. In 1900 the United Presbyterian Church and the Free Church joined together to form the ''United Free Church of Scotland''. | In 1876 many of the ministers and membership of the Reformed Church (Cameronians) united with the Free Church. In 1900 the United Presbyterian Church and the Free Church joined together to form the ''United Free Church of Scotland''. | ||
In 1874 patronage was finally abolished in the Established Church of Scotland. Since the main cause of secession was removed, intermittent negotiations for re-union were held for several years between the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church. They finally bore fruit in 1929 when the two churches were reunited. Minorities of the Free Church and the Reformed Church which did not participate in the re-union still exist under those names. | In 1874 patronage was finally abolished in the Established Church of Scotland. Since the main cause of secession was removed, intermittent negotiations for re-union were held for several years between the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church. They finally bore fruit in 1929 when the two churches were reunited. Minorities of the Free Church and the Reformed Church which did not participate in the re-union still exist under those names. | ||
=== Other nonconformist groups === | === Other nonconformist groups === | ||