Churches along the river - Churches


home about us churches st andrews cathedral st marys inverness methodist church st michael and all angels inverness trinity parish church old high church free north church st columba high ness bank church news & events links contact
CHURCHES This site is hosted by Old High St Stephen's Church on behalf of the Churches along the River. You can reach the individual pages for each Church via the 'Churches' drop down list above. The Riverside Churches are from different Christian denomations. (Please note that the links below to external websites will open a new window). Church of Scotland The Church of Scotland (sometimes known as 'the Kirk') is the largest denomination in Scotland. It is a Reformed church, governed by the Presbyterian system, in which ministers and elders jointly make decisions. As Scotland's national Church, it operates a parish system throughout the country, but makes decisions free from state interference. The Church of Scotland parishes on the riverside are: Old High St Stephen's Ness Bank Church Inverness Trinity Church St Columba High Church The local Church of Scotland Presbytery has a website here. The Church of Scotland website is here. Roman Catholic Church The world-wide Catholic Church is the world's largest denomination. Scotland was officially a Catholic country until Reformation. The Scottish Parliament abolished the jurisdiction of the Pope and legalized Reformed worship in 1560. However, many people, especially in the especially in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, remained faithful to the old ways in spite of persecution and other difficulties, so that the Catholic community can claim an unbroken link to the pre-Reformation Church. St Mary's is the oldest Catholic congregation in Inverness. The Scottish Catholic Bishop's Conference has a website here. Scottish Espiscopal Church During the Reformation era, and afterwards, the Church of Scotland swung between Episcopacy (government by bishops) and Presbyterianism. In 1690 Presbyterianism was established as the official religion, leaving those who believed that bishops were necessary to the Church to create what was, at first, an illegal Church. Many Episcopalians supported the Jacobite cause, which ended with the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden Moor, near Inverness, in 1746. The Scottish Episcopal Church is now part of the Anglican Communion, which includes the Church of England. St Andrew's Cathedral and St Michael and All Angels are Episcopal Churches. The Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness has a website here. The Scottish Episcopal Church website is here. Free Church of Scotland The Church of Scotland suffered many divisions during its history. In the nineteenth century, disagreements about the extent of the State's role in the Church led to the formation of the Free Church of Scotland. Although many reunions took place later, today's Free Church (sometimes known as 'The Wee Frees') has over 100 congregations across Scotland, and is particularly strong in then the Highlands and Islands. It is an evangelical denomination which accepts the Bible in its entirety as the Word of God. Only the Psalms are sung in worship, and no instruments (including organs) are used. The Free North Church is one of the largest Free Church congregations in the Highlands. Click here for Free Church of Scotland website. The Methodist Church Methodism began as a reform movement in the Church of England in the eighteenth century. Its leader, John Wesley, travelled on horseback throughout Britain to preach the Gospel, even getting as far as Inverness and preaching in the Old High Church! Today, Inverness Methodist Church is housed in a striking 20th century building on the Riverside. Click here for more information about the Methodist Church in Britain.