The Church in Scotland

The Reformed Church in Scotland was established in 1560 and officially recognized in 1567. Establishment refers to a contractual relationship with the state that involves certain obligations and grants certain exclusive privileges and preferences. This relationship is documented in a series of statutes from 1567 onwards, including one from 1587 that states, "There is no other face of Kirk, nor other face of religion, than is presently by the favour of God established within this realm." The relationship continued through to the Act of 1921, which includes nine articles outlining the constitution of the Church of Scotland, and the Act of 1925, which transferred state endowments to the Church of Scotland. When we say that the Church is "Established," it means that by an Act of Parliament, it is declared the National Church and is closely connected with the state, enjoying a privileged position as a result. However, this "establishment" came at a cost, as the state began to interfere in the life of the Church. In the 17th century, attempts to introduce bishops led to the persecution of the Covenanters—those who had pledged to maintain the freedom of the Church. After much bloodshed, the Revolution Settlement of 1690 restored Presbyterianism.

The Secession and Relief Church

Issues with establishment persisted, leading to a breakaway from the Established Church in 1733, resulting in the formation of the Secession Church, associated with Ebenezer Erskine. The primary issue was "patronage," or the right to choose the minister. The state passed the Patronage Act, granting this right to landowners, while the Church maintained that it belonged to the people. The Secession Church faced its own challenges, as secondary issues caused divisions among the seceders, resulting in factions such as the Auld Lichts and the New Lichts, as well as the Burghers and the Anti-Burghers. The issue of patronage resurfaced in 1761, leading to the formation of the Relief Church, associated with Thomas Gillespie.

The Free Church and the Disruption

A third major breakaway occurred in 1843, known as the Disruption, which was associated with Thomas Chalmers and led to the formation of the Free Church. Unlike the earlier breakaways, which involved one or two individuals at a time, the Disruption saw over 400 ministers resign from the Church of Scotland. This was followed by a series of unions. In 1847, the Secession Church and the Relief Church united to form the United Presbyterian Church. In 1900, the Free Church united with the United Presbyterian Church to become the United Free Church. A minority did not join that union and continue today as the Free Church of Scotland. In 1929, the United Free Church united with the Established Church (the Church of Scotland). Again, a minority did not join the union and continue today as the United Free Church of Scotland.

1929 Onwards

The United Free Church of Scotland minority held their first General Assembly on 6th October 1929 in Glasgow, electing Rev James Barr as the first moderator of the continuing Church. The photograph on the right shows three of the leaders of the continuing Church at one of the many churches opened in the 1930s. It was agreed that for the first five years following the Union, they would be known as the United Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) to distinguish them from the pre-1929 Church. This led to the nickname "Continuers." They continued the tradition of the United Free Church in three key areas:

• Autonomy:

The United Free Church of Scotland has consistently opposed State Establishment of religion, believing it to be a hindrance to the welfare and witness of the Church of Jesus Christ. Even in situations where there is no direct interference with the Church’s spiritual autonomy, the threat is implied in the State-Church relationship.

• Equality:

The special recognition by the State of one denomination places Churches on an unequal footing and is not conducive to the best inter-Church relations.

• Voluntaryism:

Material support should come from the freewill offerings of the members. Where the State, for specific purposes regarded as promoting the welfare of the people, offers material or financial aid to all Churches without distinction, injustice to other institutions, or interference with the Church’s freedom, accepting such aid would not be incompatible with the Church’s position.

In the years following 1929, a major programme of church building began, and new congregations were established. Like many other denominations in Scotland, the Church grew considerably until 1956, after which numbers declined. Several Church extension projects were undertaken, and new congregations were established. In a changing society, the Church continues to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Following the tradition of the United Presbyterians and the Free Church, the Church has been active overseas. Medical missions were established in Bechuanaland (now Botswana) in association with the London Missionary Society, leading to the establishment of a hospital at Molepolole. Attempts were made to begin new work in India in partnership with the Presbyterian Church in Canada, but the outbreak of the Second World War prevented this. However, the work in Bechuanaland flourished. As needs changed, the government of Botswana took over the hospital in 1975. The Church maintains its connection with the Church in Botswana through close ties with the London Missionary Society’s successor, the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa. In recent years, this has included training Botswana students for the ministry in Scotland.

Adapted in part from an article by Rev. A. Innes.