1840
Student protestors
Students and professors of theology, were heavily involved in the debates about the appointment of parish ministers which were to lead to the Disruption of 1843.
1843
First session of the New College
The very first classes for the Free Church students were held at Dr Candlish' church in Lothian Road.
1843
Disruption Painting by David Octavius Hill, ©Free Church of Scotland
Walkout splits the Church and divides Divinity Faculty
On May 18th 1843 Reverend David Welsh led a walk out of c. 200 ministers from the opening session of the Church of Scotland' General Assembly.
1845
©National Museum of Scotland, Elliot Collection, bequeathed 1950
Chalmers’ vision for Free Church Education
In 1845 Thomas Chalmers turned his attention to the curriculum of the college.
1847
Student social action
The New College Missionary Society began as a breakaway from the Edinburgh University Missionary Association at the time of the Disruption.
1851
Student Life in the 1850s
The scope of the curriculum can be seen in the announcement for the commencement of the college session from 3rd September 1851.
1870
First college dinner
In 1872 a stable was converted to provide kitchens and the tradition of the New College Dinner began.
1870
Students call for more space
A Minute of the New College Senatus shows students requesting a reading room and room for societies in 1870 but to no avail!
1893
Helpers in the New College Library (New College Library Archives AA.1.8.1)
Helpers in the library
Student helpers were a resource first used when Prof David Welsh was responsible for gathering a library for New College.
1898
©The University of Edinburgh
Phoebe Anna Traquair “Address of the Young Women’ Class to Rev Whyte”
Illuminated manuscript produced to mark Rev Whyte's election as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland in 1898.
1904
New College in Exile
Following the Union of the Free Church and the United Presbyterian Church in 1900 there was a court case about the ownership of the premises.
1906
New College Union founded for alumni
In 1906, there was a Union founded for Alumni of New College.
1907
Staff and students return to New College
On 1st Jan 1907 the United Free Church was able to return following the outcome of a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
1909
Discussions pave the way for church reunion
The path to the reunion of the Church of Scotland and the Free Church in 1929 began a decade earlier with a meeting held in New College Library.
1910
World Missionary Conference
The Edinburgh Missionary Conference was held in the Assembly Hall adjoining New College.
1911
Picnic at Roslin Glen 1911, ©The University of Edinburgh
New College fun and games in the early 20th century
Nostalgic photographs held in New College's Special Collections show friendship and fellowship outside of the classroom.
1914
New College and the Great War
The impact of WW1 on a generation can be seen in different places.
1925
Keeping the clergy in good voice
Scottish actor Alistair Sim served as Lecturer in Elocution 1925-30. Elocution was taught to candidates for the ministry from 1877.
1929
Union of the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland
The settlement for the three Theological Colleges of the United Free Church and Four University Faculties of the Church of Scotland took a little longer.