Diocese of Argyll facts for kids
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The Diocese of Argyll was an important church area in Scotland during the Middle Ages. A diocese is like a region managed by a bishop. The leader of this area was called the Bishop of Argyll. The main church for the diocese was located in Lismore.
During the Scottish Reformation, which was a big change in the 1500s, most of Scotland's main church stopped following the Pope. For a while, people debated whether to keep bishops as church leaders, like the Church of England did. Eventually, the "presbyterians," who believe churches should be led by elders instead of bishops, became the main group in the Church of Scotland.
However, the Scottish Episcopal Church continued to have bishops for the old church areas of Scotland. By 1688, because there weren't enough bishops, the Diocese of Argyll was joined with the Diocese of Ross. Over the next two centuries, it was often also joined with the dioceses of Moray or Caithness. In 1819, the old Diocese of the Isles was added. Then, in 1847, Alexander Ewing became the first Bishop of Argyll and the Isles. Later, in 1878, the Roman Catholic Church also created a new diocese with the same name. Today, both the Episcopal and Catholic dioceses are based in Oban.
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Church Areas in Medieval Times
In the Middle Ages, the Diocese of Argyll was divided into smaller church areas called "deaneries." Each deanery had several local churches, known as parishes. These parishes were the local communities where people went to church.
Deanery of Glassary
This deanery covered parts of Argyll. Some of the parishes in this area included Craignish, Dunoon, and Inveraray.
Deanery of Kintyre
The Kintyre deanery was located in the Kintyre peninsula. Parishes here included Kilberry and Kilcalmonell.
Deanery of Lorn
The Lorn deanery covered the Lorn region. Important parishes in this area were Ardchattan, Glenorchy, and Lismore, which was home to the main cathedral.
Deanery of Morvern
This deanery was in the Morvern area. Parishes like Ardnamurchan, Arisaig, and Kilmallie were part of this region.
