Modern Christianity
As measured by the 2001 Census returns (see Statistics section below) The Church of Scotland, which is also known as The Kirk, is Scotland's largest Christian denomination. It is recognised in law (by the Church of Scotland Act 1921) as the country's national church though it is not an established church, being independent of state control in matters spiritual. The Church of Scotland is a Reformed church, with a Presbyterian system of ecclesiastical polity as determined in 1690. The monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) is an ordinary member of the Church of Scotland, and is represented at the General Assembly by their Lord High Commissioner.
The second largest church in Scotland is the Roman Catholic Church which survived the Reformation, especially on islands like Uist and Barra, despite the suppression of the 16th to the late 18th centuries. Roman Catholicism in Scotland was strengthened particularly in the west of Scotland during the 19th century by immigration from Ireland. This continued for much of the 20th century, during which significant numbers of Catholics from Italy, Lithuania and Poland also migrated to Scotland.
The Scottish Episcopal Church, is Scotland's third largest Christian church with around 39,000 members. It dates from the final establishment of Presbyterianism in Scotland in 1690, when it split from the Church of Scotland. Though part of the Anglican Communion, it is not a 'daughter church' of the Church of England.
Orthodox Christian churches are also a notable presence. In Glasgow, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St Luke is an important church, with important historical background.
Divisions within Presbyterianism over the question of establishment (see Disruption of 1843) in Scotland led to the setting up of other denominations including the Free Church of Scotland. The modern day Free Church of Scotland (post-1900) adheres to a more conservative style of Calvinism.
Other denominations in Scotland include the Jehovah's Witnesses, Methodists, the Congregationalists, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Read more about this topic: Religion In Scotland
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