The Scottish Church Society is a

Church of Scotland The Church of Scotland ( sco, The Kirk o Scotland; gd, Eaglais na h-Alba) is the national church in Scotland. The Church of Scotland was principally shaped by John Knox, in the Reformation of 1560, when it split from the Catholic Church ...

society founded in 1892. Leading founders were Thomas Leishman and

William Milligan William Milligan (15 March 182111 December 1893) was a renowned Scottish theologian. He studied at the University of Halle in Germany, and eventually became a professor at the University of Aberdeen. He is best known for his commentary on th ...

, and the first secretary was James Cooper.

Background

Although always a minority within the Church of Scotland, the Society has at times proved influential. It grew out of the Church Service Society (founded 1865), but has not confined itself to interest in liturgies or form. Cooper was identified with a

High Church The term ''high church'' refers to beliefs and practices of Christian ecclesiology, liturgy, and theology that emphasize formality and resistance to modernisation. Although used in connection with various Christian traditions, the term originate ...

or "Scoto-Catholic" theological approach within

Presbyterianism Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their n ...

. The Society was active in seeking and achieving Article 1 of the

Articles Declaratory of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland The Articles Declaratory of the Constitution of the Church of Scotland – often known as the Declaratory Articles - were drawn up early in the 20th century to facilitate the union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland. T ...

, defining the trinitarian nature of the Christian faith and the "

catholicity Catholicity (from , via ) is a concept pertaining to beliefs and practices that are widely accepted by numerous Christian denominations, most notably by those Christian denominations that describe themselves as ''catholic'' in accordance with th ...

" of the Church. A notable congregation for its historic connections with the Society and with Scoto-Catholicism is

Govan Old Parish Church Govan Old Parish Church is the name of the original parish church serving Govan in Glasgow from the 5th or 6th century AD until 2007. In that year, the Church of Scotland united the two Govan congregations with Linthouse and established the paris ...

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popu ...

Current officers

Twelve former Presidents of the Society have served as

Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the minister or elder chosen to moderate (chair) the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every year. After chairing the Ass ...

. The current President is the Reverend Tom A. Davidson Kelly, formerly minister of Govan Old Parish Church), who succeeded the Reverend Douglas Lamb (formerly of St Margaret's Parish Church, Dalry, Ayrshire). The current Secretary is the Reverend Gerald Jones (minister of Kirkmichael linked with Straiton St Cuthbert's, in Ayrshire).

References

{{Reflist

External links

Scottish Church Society - official website
Religious organizations established in 1892 19th century in Scotland Church of Scotland

Background

Current officers

See also

References

External links