Genealogy Chat

Debra, High Church of England is very much like the Roman Catholic Church, The members can take Confession if they so wish prior to Communion, Incense is swung and in the Church here the priest is always called Father.

Many thanks for all replies. Debbie

The Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian Church, as Maggie says. It is the "Established Church" in Scotland, as is the Church of England in England. There is also the Episcopalian Church in Scotland, which is a member of the Church of England community of Churches, and is likewise run by Bishops. If your ancestors lived in Scotland they may have been members of the Episcopalian Church. They could not have been members of the Church of England itself if they lived in Scotland, as you seem to imply. Stan

Please could someone from Scotland correct me if I'm wrong. I have always believed the main form of Protestantism used by the church of Scotland was Presbyterianism, which follows the ideals expounded by John Calvin (16th Century French theologian) during the Reformation. It has no compulsory form of worship and is led by elders. The Church of England stresses continuity with the pre-Reformation church. It has a compulsory form of worship and is led by Bishops. Some would say the Church of England is the nearest form of Protestantism to Catholicism So, the answer to your question is, they probably preferred the form of service in the Church of England!

I don't really know much about this but my father's family were from the Scottish borders and I remember something about being 'high church'. I presume the english version of high church was closest to the scottish and hence may have been viewed as acceptable in the border area?

Most of my family are Church of Scotland but just found out that my grandparents attended High English Church which I have been told is Church of England can anyone explain why Scottish people would be Church of England.Debbie