The Scottish Episcopal Church

 

The Scottish Episcopal Church was the first reformed Church in Scotland and was established by King James V (reigned 1513-1542, father of Mary Queen of Scots).  Bishops continued to govern the Church in Scotland, and it was later, during the constitutional crisis of 1688/9 that the Presbyterian Kirk finally became the established Church of Scotland.  In Victorian times the Scottish Episcopal Church began to flourish again and in the 1990s is proud of its antiquity and unbroken apostolic succession.  The Church is in full communion with the Church of England and worldwide Anglican Church.

 

The Linked Parishes of St Andrews and St Mary's

 

St Andrew’s Church, Callander was built by the resident stone mason of Stronvar, Balquhidder, and consecrated by Bishop Wordsworth in 1857.  It was raised to the status of an ‘incumbency’ in 1871.

 

St Mary’s, Aberfoyle was built in 1892-1893 and consecrated in 1893.  Its first congregation included many of the quarry workers who had come from Ballachulish, a staunchly episcopalian area of Argyll, who had settled in Aberfoyle to work in quarries here.

 

St Andrew’s and St Mary’s are the most westerly parishes of Diocese of St Andrew’s, Dunkeld and Dunblane.  The Cathedral Church is in Perth and diocesan Bishop is the Rt Revd David Chillingworth.  The Revd Richard Grosse is Rector of both parishes.

 

The Diocesan Synod is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Diocese, through its appointed officers.  Representatives of both churches attend both the Diocesan Synod and the General Synod, the governing body of the Scottish Episcopal Church, led by the Bishops.  The congregations elect and appoint members to serve on the two Vestries, which are responsible for conducting the day-to-day administration of each Church and parish.

 

The churches receive some diocesan support, but are largely self-funding and have to provide an annual quota sum to Diocesan funds.  Certain aspects of joint funding are conducted.  Repairs and maintenance to the Church building and rectory is the responsibility of the congregation and all running costs of the parishes.  From time to time volunteers are forthcoming for practical maintenance tasks with regard to the Churches and surroundings.