Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, 1865 - Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen, fl 1783-1865 Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen, fl 1783-1865

The Scottish Episcopal Church has common roots with the other Scottish churches going back to at least the 4th century AD. It became a non-established autonomous church in 1690, formed by those who refused to accept the Revolution Settlement, when the Church of Scotland was established as Presbyterian without bishops. In the North East episcoplianism retained considerable support, with one third of all Episcopal clergy in Scotland in the Diocese of Aberdeen in 1784. During the 18th century the Church suffered because of its continuing support for the Stuart dynasty/ Jacobite cause. Nevertheless it revised its Scottish liturgy and administration and retained a distinct spirituality. It is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion, and consecrated the first bishop for the United States of America in Aberdeen in 1784.

The Scottish Episcopal Dioceses of Aberdeen and Orkney were united in 1865 to form the united Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. Its geographic extent covers Orkney, Shetland, Aberdeen, and parts - though not all - of the old counties of Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Kincardineshire.

This information has been extracted from David M. Bertie, Scottish Episcopal Clergy 1689-2000 (Edinburgh: Clarke, 2000). Further details about the history of the Diocese and individual churches is contained therein.

From the guide to the Records of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, c 1600 - c 1980, (University of Aberdeen)

The Scottish Episcopal Church has common roots with the other Scottish churches going back to at least the 4th century AD. It became a non-established autonomous church in 1690, formed by those who refused to accept the Revolution Settlement, when the Church of Scotland was established as Presbyterian without bishops. In the North East episcoplianism retained considerable support, with one third of all Episcopal clergy in Scotland in the Diocese of Aberdeen in 1784. During the 18th century the Church suffered because of its continuing support for the Stuart dynasty/ Jacobite cause. Nevertheless it revised its Scottish liturgy and administration and retained a distinct spirituality. It is part of the world-wide Anglican Communion, and consecrated the first bishop for the United States of America in Aberdeen in 1784.

The Scottish Episcopal Dioceses of Aberdeen and Orkney were united in 1865 to form the united Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. Its geographic extent covers Orkney, Shetland, Aberdeen, and parts - though not all - of the old counties of Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Kincardineshire.

This information has been extracted from David M. Bertie, Scottish Episcopal Clergy 1689-2000, (Edinburgh: Clarke, 2000). Further details about the history of the Diocese and individual churches is contained therein.

From the guide to the Aberdeen Diocesan Library manuscript volumes, c 1665 - 1907, (University of Aberdeen)