List of Church of Scotland parishes facts for kids

The Church of Scotland is Scotland's national church. It divides the country into large areas called Presbyteries. These Presbyteries are then split into smaller areas called Parishes. Each parish usually has its own church building and a minister (a religious leader). Sometimes, a parish might have more than one church building, or several parishes might share a minister. Currently, there are 42 Presbyteries in Scotland and about 1500 parishes. The Church of Scotland also has three Presbyteries outside Scotland: one for England, one for Europe, and one for Jerusalem. These international groups have "gathered congregations" instead of parishes, meaning they are groups of people who come together to worship, rather than being tied to a specific geographical area.

Church Numbers in Scotland

The Church of Scotland has a total of 991 charges (groups of churches or ministries), 1,266 parishes, and 1,518 church buildings across Scotland. This structure serves a population of over 5.2 million people. On average, each charge looks after about 5,336 people, and each church building serves around 3,484 people.

Since the year 2000, at least 275 churches in Scotland have closed. This means about 15.6% of churches have closed in 21 years.

Churches Serving Many People

Some church areas, called "charges," serve a very large number of people. For example:

• Livingston: United in West Lothian serves 39,174 people.
• Coatbridge: (Calder l/w Old Monkland) in Hamilton serves 24,155 people.
• Shetland in Aberdeen & Shetland serves 23,167 people, and it has three ministers.

Churches Serving Fewer People

On the other hand, some church areas serve very few people. For example:

• North Ronaldsay in Orkney serves only 72 people.
• Colonsay & Oronsay in Argyll serves 132 people.
• Tundergarth in Annandale & Eskdale serves 141 people.

Presbyteries and Their Churches

The Church of Scotland is organized into many Presbyteries, each overseeing churches in its area. Here's a look at some of them:

Aberdeen and Shetland Presbytery

This Presbytery was formed on June 1, 2020, when the Aberdeen and Shetland Presbyteries joined together. It has 33 congregations. In Shetland, one large parish includes many churches. In 2018, Shetland had 31 churches, but plans are in place to close 20 of them and keep 11.

Some of the churches in this Presbytery include:

• Aberdeen: Bridge of Don Oldmachar
• Aberdeen: Craigiebuckler
• Aberdeen: Ferryhill Parish Church
• St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen (a very old church)
• Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting, Aberdeen (closed in 2020)
• Various churches in Shetland, such as Aith Church and St Columba's, Lerwick.

Many churches have closed in this area over the years, including Greyfriars Church, Aberdeen and Bressay Church.

Abernethy Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Abernethy Church and St Columba's in Boat of Garten. Some churches here are very old, dating back to medieval times. A few churches, like Glenlivet Church and Rothiemurchus Church, have closed.

Angus Presbytery

In Angus, you'll find churches such as Aberlemno Parish Church and Arbroath: Old & Abbey Church. Some of these churches have been around since ancient times. Many churches have also closed in this area, including Lunan Parish Church and Knox's Church in Arbroath.

Annandale and Eskdale Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Annan Old Parish Church and St Andrew's in Moffat. Some churches in this area, such as Ettleton and Wheelkirk, closed centuries ago. More recently, Hoddom Parish Church also closed.

Ardrossan Presbytery

Churches in this Presbytery include Ardrossan & Saltcoats Kirkgate and Kilwinning Old Parish Church. Some churches, like Overton Church in West Kilbride and Barony St John's Church in Ardrossan, have closed.

Argyll Presbytery

The Argyll Presbytery was formed in 2004 by combining three smaller Presbyteries. It covers a wide area with many churches, including Inveraray Parish Church and Kilarrow Parish Church, Bowmore. This Presbytery has seen many churches close, some as far back as the 16th century, and more recently, Ardchattan Church in 2019.

Ayr Presbytery

In the Ayr Presbytery, you can find churches like Alloway Parish Church and Ayr: The Auld Kirk. Some churches, such as St Cuthbert's in Monkton, closed in the 1980s, and Craigie Church closed in 2014.

Buchan Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Aberdour Church and Fraserburgh Old Parish Church. Historically, many churches here have closed, including Old St Peter's Church, Peterhead in the 18th century and Fetterangus Parish Church more recently in 2018.

Caithness Presbytery

Churches in Caithness include St Peter's and St Andrew's, Thurso and Wick: St Fergus'. Several churches have closed here, such as Latheron Old Parish Church in 1974 and Bower Church in 2018.

Clyde Presbytery

The Clyde Presbytery is a larger group, formed in 2020 by combining the Greenock, Paisley, and Dumbarton Presbyteries. It includes many churches like Paisley Abbey and St Kessog's, Luss. Many churches have closed in this area over the years, including St Matthew's Church, Paisley and Lochwinnoch Parish Church in 2020.

Dumfries and Kirkcudbright Presbytery

This Presbytery has churches like Maxwelltown West Church in Dumfries and Durisdeer Parish Church. Over time, churches like Greyfriars Church, Dumfries and Borgue Church have closed in this region.

Dundee Presbytery

In Dundee, you'll find churches such as Balgay Church and St Mary's, Dundee. Several churches have closed here, including Old St Paul's & St David's in 1981 and Liff Church in 2019.

Dunkeld and Meigle Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Aberfeldy Parish Church and Dunkeld Cathedral. Some churches, like St Mary's in Grantully, closed a long time ago, while Foss Church closed in 2019.

Duns Presbytery

Churches in Duns include Ayton Church and Coldingham Parish Church. Many churches have closed here, such as Preston Church in the 18th century and Burnmouth Church around 2019.

Edinburgh Presbytery

Edinburgh's Presbytery is home to many churches, including Balerno Parish Church and St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. Many churches have closed in Edinburgh, some very old like Trinity College Kirk in 1848, and more recently, St John's, Oxgangs in 2016.

Falkirk Presbytery

This Presbytery has churches like Airth Parish Church and Bo'ness Old Kirk. Historically, churches like Kinneil Church closed in the 17th century, and St James, Falkirk, closed in 2018.

Fife Presbytery

The Fife Presbytery was formed in January 2021 by combining the Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, and St Andrews Presbyteries. It includes churches like Dunfermline Abbey and Burntisland Parish Church. Many churches have closed in Fife, including St Andrews Cathedral in 1561 and Gauldry Church in 2019.

Glasgow Presbytery

Glasgow's Presbytery is a large area with many churches, such as Broom Parish Church and Glasgow Cathedral. Many churches have closed in Glasgow, some like Collegiate Church of SS Mary & Anne in 1940, and more recently, Anderston Kelvingrove Church in 2019.

Gordon Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Barthol Chapel Parish Church and Ellon Parish Church. Churches like Kinkell Parish Church closed in the 18th century, and Marnoch Old Church closed in 2020.

Hamilton Presbytery

In Hamilton, you'll find churches such as Cairnlea Church in Airdrie and Bellshill: Central. Many churches have closed in this area, including Longriggend Parish Church in the 20th century and Lesmahagow-Abbeygreen in 2020.

Inverness Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Ardersier Church and Barn Church, Culloden. Historically, churches like Glenmoriston Old Parish Church closed in the 16th century, and Dores Church closed in 2020.

Irvine and Kilmarnock Presbytery

Churches in this Presbytery include Caldwell Church and Darvel Parish Church. Some churches, like West High Church in Kilmarnock, closed in 2000, and Shortlees Parish Church closed in 2012.

Jedburgh Presbytery

This Presbytery has churches like Ancrum Church and Burnfoot Church in Hawick. Many churches have closed here, some very old like Old Jedworth in the 16th century, and more recently, Edgerston Church in 2018.

Kincardine and Deeside Presbytery

Churches in this Presbytery include Aberluthnott Church and Banchory-Ternan East Church. Historically, Tullich Kirk closed in the 18th century, and Johnshaven Church closed in 2015.

Lanark Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Biggar Kirk and Kirkton Church in Carluke. Some churches, like St Kentigern's, Lanark, closed in the 17th century, and Lesmahagow-Abbeygreen closed in 2020.

Lewis Presbytery

Churches in Lewis include Barvas Parish Church and Stornoway: High Church. Some churches, like Cross Old Church, have closed.

Lochaber Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Acharacle Church and Fort Augustus Church. Historically, Canna and Kildonan Old Parish Churches closed in the 16th century, and Macintosh Memorial Church in Fort William closed in 2007.

Lochcarron-Skye Presbytery

Churches here include Lochcarron Parish Church and Portree Parish Church. Some very old churches, like Snizort Cathedral, closed in the 16th century, and Plockton Parish Church has also closed.

Lothian Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Aberlady PC and Dunbar Parish Church. Historically, Bothans Parish Church closed in the 18th century, and Whittinghame Parish Church closed in 2020.

Melrose and Peebles Presbytery

Churches in this Presbytery include Ashkirk Parish Church and Earlston Parish Church. Many churches have closed here, some very old like Rutherford Church, and more recently, Walkerburn Church in 2009.

Moray Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Aberlour Church and Bellie Kirk, Fochabers. Historically, Elgin Cathedral closed in 1560, and Elgin South Church closed around 2000.

Orkney Presbytery

The Orkney Presbytery has churches like Milestone Community Church in Dounby and St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. Many churches have closed in Orkney, some very old like St Olaf's, Kirkwall in the 17th century, and St Michael's, Harray in 2012.

Perth Presbytery

Churches in Perth include Aberdalgie Church and Auchterarder Parish Church. Some churches, like Tibbermore Parish Church, closed in 1986, and St David's, Stormontfield, closed in 2019.

Ross Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Alness Church and Fearn Abbey. Historically, Kinnettes Parish Church closed in the 16th century, and Lochbroom (Clachan) Church closed in 2016.

Stirling Presbytery

Churches in Stirling include Aberfoyle Parish Church and St Mungo's, Alloa. Some churches, like Cowie Church, closed in 2017, and Allan Park South Church in Stirling closed in 2020.

Sutherland Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Assynt Church and Dornoch Cathedral. Historically, Stoer Church closed in the 20th century, and Altnaharra Church closed in 2020.

Uist Presbytery

Churches in Uist include Benbecula Parish Church and Tarbert (Harris Parish) Church. Some very old churches, like St Clement's, Rodel, Harris, closed in the 16th century, and St Kilda Church closed in 1930.

West Lothian Presbytery

This Presbytery includes churches like Armadale Parish Church and Bathgate: Boghall. Some churches, like Pardovan Church, closed around 2005, and The Lanthorn, Livingston, closed in 2012.

Wigtown and Stranraer Presbytery

This Presbytery was formed in 1963 by combining the Wigtown and Stranraer Presbyteries. It includes churches like Ervie Kirkcolm Church and Portpatrick Parish Church. Many churches have closed here, some very old like Clayshant Parish Church in the 17th century, and New Luce Parish Church in 2017.

Church of Scotland Outside Scotland

The Church of Scotland also has a presence in other parts of the world.

Presbytery of England

This Presbytery includes churches in England like Crown Court Church, London, and St Ninian's in Corby. St Andrew's in Liverpool was dissolved (closed) in 2017.

International Presbytery

This Presbytery covers churches in Europe, North America, and Asia.

• Europe: Includes the English Reformed Church, Amsterdam, St Andrew's Church, Brussels, and The Scots Kirk, Lausanne, Switzerland.
• North America: Includes Christ Church in Warwick, Bermuda, and St Ann's in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
• Asia: Includes St Andrew's Scots Kirk, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Presbytery of Jerusalem

This Presbytery includes St Andrew's Church, Jerusalem, St Andrew's Church in Tiberias, and churches in Haifa and Jaffa.

Other Church of Scotland Buildings

The Church of Scotland also has important buildings and institutions for training and administration:

• Trinity College, Glasgow
• St Mary's College, St Andrews
• New College, Edinburgh
• Christ's College, Aberdeen
• Church of Scotland Offices, 121 George St, Edinburgh
• General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland (where important meetings are held)
• St Ninian's Centre, Crieff (now closed)

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