Catholicism began in Aberdeen around 1012. The religion was severely threatened during the Scottish Reformation under the leadership of clergyman John Knox. His mission as a Protestant was to eradicate the Catholic faith and any control by the pope across the country while establishing the Church of Scotland. Both goals were accomplished in 1560 during the General Assembly in Edinburgh. This radical decision never deterred Catholics in Aberdeen, although their missionary work and masses were clandestine through the 18th century. In 1860, St. Mary’s was built by architect Alexander Ellis. The spire was added in 1877 and it was designated a cathedral the following year. Surprisingly, the Papal Jurisdiction Act of 1550 is still law within the Church of Scotland. However, this Catholic church operates in harmony with the Aberdeen community.
