Religious Schism in 19th century Scotland

After prolonged struggle, the Evangelicals gained control of the General Assembly in 1834 and passed the Veto Act, allowing congregations to reject "intrusive" patron presentations. This led to the "Ten Years' Conflict" of legal and political battles, culminating in the civil courts ruling against the non-intrusionists. The defeat resulted in the Great Disruption of 1843, where about a third of the clergy, primarily from the North and Highlands, seceded from the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church of Scotland, led by Dr. Thomas Chalmers.

Chalmers emphasized a social vision that sought to revive and preserve Scotland's communal traditions amid social strain. His idealized vision of small, egalitarian, kirk-based communities that valued individuality and cooperation significantly influenced both the breakaway group and mainstream Presbyterian churches. By the 1870s, these ideas had been assimilated by the established Church of Scotland, demonstrating the church's concern for the social issues arising from industrialization and urbanization.

In the late 19th century, fundamentalist Calvinists and theological liberals, who rejected a literal interpretation of the Bible, debated fiercely. This resulted in another split in the Free Church, with rigid Calvinists forming the Free Presbyterian Church in 1893. Conversely, there were moves towards reunion, beginning with the unification of secessionist churches into the United Secession Church in 1820, which later merged with the Relief Church in 1847 to form the United Presbyterian Church. In 1900, this church joined with the Free Church to form the United Free Church of Scotland. The removal of legislation on lay patronage allowed the majority of the Free Church to rejoin the Church of Scotland in 1929. However, some smaller denominations, including the Free Presbyterians and a remnant of the Free Church that did not merge in 1900, persisted.

Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and the arrival of many Irish immigrants, especially after the late 1840s famine, transformed Catholicism in Scotland, particularly in urban centers like Glasgow. In 1878, despite opposition, a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical hierarchy was restored, making Catholicism a significant denomination. Episcopalianism also revived in the 19th century, becoming established as the Episcopal Church in Scotland in 1804, an autonomous organization in communion with the Church of England.

Baptist, Congregationalist, and Methodist churches, which appeared in Scotland in the 18th century, saw significant growth in the 19th century, partly because of existing radical and evangelical traditions within the Church of Scotland and the free churches. The Salvation Army joined these denominations in 1879, aiming to make substantial inroads in the growing urban centers.