The Disruption of 1843 occurred in Edinburgh as a major schism within the Church of Scotland, sparked by deepening conflicts over the church's governance and authority. Key figures, including Thomas Chalmers, Robert Candlish, and other ministers, took a stand against what they perceived as improper state influence on ecclesiastical matters. Tensions had been brewing for years, particularly surrounding the presentation of ministers to parishes, where the state had significant involvement. This contention reached a breaking point when the General Assembly of the Church attempted to enforce its authority over specific appointments, prompting dissent among many presbyteries that valued ecclesiastical independence.

On May 18, 1843, in a significant display of unity and commitment to their cause, around 450 ministers and about 10,000 congregants gathered at St. Andrew's Church in Edinburgh. There, they voted to leave the established Church and form a new body, the Free Church of Scotland. The Disruption was fundamentally an assertion of spiritual independence and an effort to create a church free from civil entanglements. Following this, the new church quickly gained momentum and established its own presbyteries, schools, and infrastructure across Scotland, reflecting a significant reformation within the Scottish religious landscape.

The event had profound repercussions, leading to the establishment of a more puritanical Christian movement in Scotland, which prioritized spiritual governance over state interference. The Free Church of Scotland flourished, drawing support from a wide base of the populace who wished for a church aligned with their beliefs rather than state interests. As a result, it also laid the groundwork for later debates in Scotland regarding the relationship between church and state and influenced other denominations and movements throughout the United Kingdom.