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The Church

Uncover the role of the church in society during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Faith in God and church-going were important to the majority of Scots in the 18th and 19th centuries. At this time, most people belonged to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, although both the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches continued to have a role in Scottish religious life.

Worship and social control

First, explore some of the key aspects of worship and find out how communion was celebrated (Cases 1A and 1B). 

Membership of a church was initiated with baptism, and from that moment the Kirk Session had a role in judging and punishing the behaviour of individual members (Case 2). Wrongdoers could expect public rebukes from the minister in front of the congegration, while the sackcloth gown and stool of repentance were designed to humiliate and shame (Case 4).

Providing for the poor

Parishes also made provision for the destitute and granted licences to beg, illustrated by the display of beggars' badges in Case 2.

Preaching the word

Preaching continued to be central to Presbyterian worship. Sermons were often very long, timed by an hour glass (Case 3). Open air services, or 'holy fairs' became a popular way of spreading the word widely.

Divisions and disruption

Disagreements about church government and how ministers were selected led to fierce debate and eventually to sections of the Church splitting off (Case 3). The most dramatic split came in 1843 with the Disruption of the Church of Scotland. About a third of the Church's ministers left to form the Free Church of Scotland. Later in the 19th century some sects reunited.