List of churches in Na h-Eileanan Siar

This is a list of churches in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. These islands are also officially known as Na h-Eileanan Siar since the implementation of the Local Government (Gaelic Names) (Scotland) Act 1997.

Alasdair Crotach MacLeod's wall tomb, St Clement's Church, Rodel

Since the Reformation the residents of the northern islands (Lewis, Harris, North Uist) have been predominantly Presbyterian, and those of the southern islands (Benbecula, South Uist, Barra) predominantly Roman Catholic.[1] At the time of the 2001 Census, 42% of the population identified themselves as being affiliated with the Church of Scotland, with 13% Roman Catholic and 28% with other Christian churches. Many of this last group belong to the Free Church of Scotland.[2] There are also small Episcopalian congregations in Lewis and Harris.

The eight historic civil parishes of the area, by which this list is ordered, are: Barvas, Stornoway, Uig, Lochs, Harris, North Uist, South Uist and Barra.

Active churches

The council area has an estimated 92 active churches for 26,900 inhabitants, a ratio of one church to every 292 people. This is the lowest anywhere in Scotland or the United Kingdom, partially due to the remoteness of settlements and partly to the proliferation of denominations. An even lower ratio is found on the island of North Uist, where there are 10 churches for only 1,254 inhabitants.

Name Image Parish (settlement) Web Founded Denomination Notes
Barvas Parish Church Barvas Medieval? Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. New building 1874 vacated 1924. Current building was previously United Free Church, built c. 1910
Cross Ness Church of Scotland Barvas (Cross) [4] 1828 Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic only. First CoS church planted from Barvas church 1828, closed 1905, demolished 1949. Current building 1909 was United Free Church, separated from Cross Free Church, rejoined CoS 1929.
Teampall Mholuaidh Barvas (Eoropie) Medieval Episcopal Church[5] Dedicated to St Moluag
Barvas Free Church Barvas (Borve) [6] 1843 Free Church Building 1850[7]
Shawbost Free Church Barvas (Shawbost) [8] 1893 Free Church Formed from Carloway Free Church
Cross Free Church Barvas (Cross) [9] 1843 Free Church Worshipped in South Dell building from 1846. Current building 1892
Shawbost Free Church (Continuing) Barvas (Shawbost) Free Church (Cont)[10]
Ness Free Church (Continuing) Barvas (North Dell) [11] 2000 Free Church (Cont) Building 2003-2004
Ness Free Presbyterian Church Barvas (Ness) Free Presbyterian[12]
Lochs-Crossbost Parish Church Lochs (Liurbost) 1724 Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Rebuilt 1796. Whole congregation left to found Crossbost Free Church in 1843[13]
Kinloch Parish Church Lochs (Kinloch) Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic only
Lochs-Crossbost Free Church Lochs (Crossbost) 1843[14] Free Church[15]
Pairc Free Church Lochs (Gravir) [16] 1879 Free Church Building 1882
Kinloch Free Church Lochs (Laxay) 1885 Free Church[17]
Uig Parish Church Uig (Miavaig) Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic only. Linked with Lochs-in-Bernera
Carloway Parish Church Uig (Carloway) Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Building 1908
Lochs-in-Bernera Parish Church Uig (Breaclete) 1880 Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. On island of Great Bernera. Linked with Uig
Callanish Free Church Uig (Callanish) Free Church[18]
Carloway Free Church Uig (Carloway) [19] 1844 Free Church Building 1884
Uig Free Presbyterian Church Uig (Miavaig) 1929[20] Free Presbyterian[21]
St Columba's Parish Church, Stornoway Stornoway 1794[22] Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Dedicated to St Columba
Martin's Memorial Church, Stornoway Stornoway [23] 1876-78[24] Church of Scotland Formerly a Free Church and United Free Church (the United Free English). Named after first minister, Donald Martin
Stornoway High Church of Scotland Stornoway [25] 1909 Church of Scotland Gaelic spoken. United Free Church until 1929. The continuing members of Stornoway High Church in 2013 (see below)
Knock Parish Church Stornoway (Garrabost) Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic only
St Peter's, Stornoway Stornoway 1838[26] Episcopal Church[27] Dedicated to St Peter. Previously an Episcopal church in the town from 1630-1660
Our Holy Redeemer, Stornoway Stornoway [28] 1961 Roman Catholic Building 1990
Stornoway Free Church Stornoway [29] 1844 Free Church Founded as the Gaelic Free Church, Stornoway.[30] Building 1845, rebuilt 1850
Free Church Seminary Stornoway [31] 1858 Free Church Services held. Rebuilt 1900
High Free Church, Stornoway Stornoway [32] 2013 Free Church Split from High Church of Scotland 2013 over admission of gay clergy[33]
Knock Free Church Stornoway (Garrabost) [34] 1843 Free Church United with Point Free Church 2017
Point Free Church Stornoway (Garrabost) [35] Free Church United with Knock Free Church 2017
Back Free Church Stornoway (Back) [36] c. 1859 Free Church
North Tolsta Free Church Stornoway (North Tolsta) Free Church[37]
Tong Free Church Stornoway (Tong) [36] Free Church
Stornoway Free Church (Continuing) Stornoway [38] 2000 Free Church (Cont) Building 2004
Knock & Point Free Church (Continuing) Stornoway (Point) [39] 2000 Free Church (Cont) Building 2012
Stornoway Free Presbyterian Church Stornoway [40] 1895 Free Presbyterian
North Tolsta Free Presbyterian Church Stornoway (North Tolsta) Free Presbyterian[41]
Stornoway Associated Presbyterian Church Stornoway [42] 1989 Associated Presbyterian Building 1995
Stornoway Reformed Presbyterian Church Stornoway [43] Reformed Presbyterian
Stornoway Baptist Church Stornoway [44] Independent
Stornoway Brethren Meeting Stornoway 1952 Brethren
Stornoway Salvation Army Stornoway [45] 1983 Salvation Army Building 1986
New Wine Church, Stornoway Stornoway [46] New Wine
Manish-Scarista Church of Scotland Harris 1838-40[47] Church of Scotland[48] Maintains three buildings in Manish, Scarista and Leverburgh
Tarbert Parish Church Harris (Tarbert) Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic only
Berneray Parish Church Harris (Berneray) 1887 Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Linked with Lochmaddy. Built as United Free, joined Church of Scotland (nearby older CoS church now in ruins)
Christ Church, Isle of Harris Harris (Grosecleit) Episcopal Church[49] Dedicated to Jesus
Harris Catholic Meeting Harris (Grosecleit) Roman Catholic Uses Christ Church Episcopal. Served from Stornoway[50]
Harris Free Church Harris (Leverburgh) [51] 1843 Free Church Minister joined United Free Church 1900, cause vacant 1900-1923[52]
North Harris Free Church Harris (Tarbert) [53] 2014 Free Church Split from Tarbert CoS 2014 over CoS admission of gay clergy[54]
Scalpay Free Church Harris (Scalpay) [55] Free Church Meets in the local Church of Scotland building.[56]
Harris Free Church (Continuing) Harris (Northton) Free Church (Cont)[57]
Scalpay Free Church (Continuing) Harris (Scalpay) 2000 Free Church (Cont)[58]
South Harris Free Presbyterian Church Harris (Leverburgh) Free Presbyterian[59]
North Harris Free Presbyterian Church Harris (Tarbert) Free Presbyterian[60] Also meet in Stockinish, Harris
Scarista Associated Presbyterian Church Harris (Scarista) Associated Presbyterian[61] Meets in the Church of Scotland building
Lochmaddy Parish Church North Uist (Lochmaddy) Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Linked with Berneray
Kilmuir & Paible Parish Church North Uist (Kilmuir) 1892-94[62] Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic only. Originally North Uist Parish Church
Carinish Parish Church North Uist (Clachan) [63] 1889 Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Linked with Benbecula. Worship was regularly held in the smaller church of Carinish until c. 2006. Previously Free Church then United Free until 1929[64]
Sollas Parish Church North Uist (Sollas) Church of Scotland[3]
St Brendan the Navigator, North Uist North Uist (Balmartin) Episcopal Church[65] Dedicated to St Brendan
Chapel of the Holy Cross, North Uist N Uist (Claddach Kirkibost) Episcopal Church[66] Dedicated to the Holy Cross
North Uist Catholic Meeting North Uist (Lochmaddy) Roman Catholic[67] Monthly in Lochmaddy community hall. Served from Benbecula
N Uist, Grimsay & Berneray Free Church North Uist (Carinish) [68] Free Church[69]
N Uist & Grimsay Free Church (Continuing) North Uist (Knockintorran) [70] 2000 Free Church (Cont)
North Uist Free Presbyterian Church North Uist (Sollas) 1893 Free Presbyterian[71] AKA Bayhead FPC
Benbecula Parish Church South Uist (Griminish) [72] pre-C16th Church of Scotland Gaelic spoken. Linked with Carinish. Original building Teampull Chaluimchille. Church at Muir of Aird 1707. United with UFC 1929 and uses Free Church building, built in 1886
Daliburgh Parish Church South Uist (Daliburgh) 1863 Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Built as South Uist Free Church
Howmore Parish Church South Uist (Howmore) 1858 Church of Scotland[3] Gaelic spoken. Remains of 13th century church nearby
Iochdar Parish Church South Uist (Iochdar) 1889 Church of Scotland[3]
St Michael, Eriskay South Uist (Eriskay) 1903 Roman Catholic[73] Dedicated to St Michael
St Mary, Benbecula South Uist (Griminish) Roman Catholic[74] Dedicated to St Mary
St Michael, Ardkenneth South Uist (Ardkenneth) [75] 1829 Roman Catholic Dedicated to St Michael. Earlier medieval church nearby, which was parish church for northern South Uist and Benbecula, abandoned 1827
St Mary, Bornish South Uist (Bornish) [76] 1837 Roman Catholic Dedicated to St Mary
St Peter, Daliburgh South Uist (Daliburgh) 1868 Roman Catholic[77] Dedicated to St Peter
Our Lady of Sorrows, Garrynamonie South Uist (Garrynamonie) pre-1964 Roman Catholic[78] Served from Daliburgh. Dedicated to St Mary. Current building 1964-1965
St Bride, Gerinish South Uist (Gerinish) [79] 1966 Roman Catholic Chapel of ease to Ardkenneth. Dedicated to St Brigid of Kildare
St Joseph, Howbeg South Uist (Howbeg) [80] 1902 Roman Catholic Part of Bornish parish but served from Ardkenneth. Dedicated to St Joseph
South Uist & Benbecula Free Church South Uist (Balivanich) [81] Free Church Covers Benbecula and South Uist. Also meets in Lochboisdale on South Uist
Barra Parish Church Barra (Cuithir) [82] 1829-1834 Church of Scotland Gaelic spoken. Congregation predates building. Previously worshipped in medieval St Barr's Church, Eoligarry.[83]
Our Lady Star Of The Sea, Castlebay Barra (Castlebay) 1888[84] Roman Catholic[85] Dedicated to St Mary
St Brendan, Craigston Barra (Borve) 1805 Roman Catholic[86] Served from Castlebay. Dedicated to St Brendan. Rebuilt 1857. May be much older
St Vincent de Paul, Eoligarry Barra (Eoligarry) 1964 Roman Catholic[87] Served from Castlebay. Dedicated to St Vincent de Paul
St Barr, Northbay Barra (Bayherivagh) 1906 Roman Catholic[88] Served from Castlebay. Dedicated to St Barr
Our Lady of the Waves & St John, Vatersay Barra (Vatersay) 1913 Roman Catholic[89] Served from Castlebay. Dedicated to SS Mary & John

Defunct churches
Name Image Settlement Web Founded Denomination Notes
Baile na Cille Church Uig [90] Medieval Church of Scotland Previous churches in the parish; church built 1724. Rebuilt 1828. Congregation and minister joined the Free Church 1843. United with Ceann Langabhat (previously United Free) in 1979. Closed 2002 and services held at the other Uig church (see above)
St Clement's Church Harris (Rodel) Medieval No longer used for services (Historic Scotland). Dedicated to St Clement
Teampull na Trionaid North Uist Medieval Ruined. Dedicated to the Trinity
Teampull Chaluimchille South Uist (Balivanich)[72] Medieval Ruined

See also

Citations
  1. Clegg, E.J. "Fertility and Development in the Outer Hebrides; The Confounding Effcets of Religion" in Malhotra (1992) p. 88
  2. Pacione, Michael (2005) "The Geography of Religious Affiliation in Scotland". The Professional Geographer 57(2). Oxford. Blackwell.
  3. "Find your local church". cos.churchofscotland.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  4. "Cross Ness Church of Scotland - The website of Cross Ness Church of Scotland". Cross Ness Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  5. "St Moluag's Great Church, Eoropaidh, Isle of Lewis - The Scottish Episcopal Church". The Scottish Episcopal Church. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  6. "Barvas Free Church". barvas.freechurch.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  7. "Barvas and Brue Timeline". www.barvasandbrue.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  8. "Shawbost Free Church - Home". www.shawbostfreechurch.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  9. "Cross Free Church Of Scotland". Cross Free Church Of Scotland. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  10. Blunt, David. "SHAWBOST". www.freechurchcontinuing.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  11. "Ness Free Church (Continuing)". Ness Free Church (Continuing). Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  12. "Ness Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  13. http://www.angusmacleodarchive.org.uk/view/index.php?path=%2F2.+History+of+Pairc%2F4.+Other+Topics%2F3.+The+First+Churches+in+Lochs.pdf
  14. http://www.lochsfreechurch.co.uk/history/lochs.jsp
  15. "Church". Free Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  16. "pairc-free-church". pairc-free-church. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  17. "Church". Free Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  18. "Church". Free Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  19. "Carloway Free Church". carloway.freechurch.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  20. "Ministers in Uig | Comann Eachdraidh Uig". Comann Eachdraidh Uig. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  21. "Uig Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  22. "St Columba's Church, Stornoway - Stornoway, Western Isles - Places of Worship in Scotland | SCHR". www.scottishchurches.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  23. Church, Martins Memorial. "HOME". www.martinsmemorial.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  24. "Martins Memorial Church - Stornoway, Western Isles - Places of Worship in Scotland | SCHR". www.scottishchurches.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  25. "Stornoway High Church of Scotland". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  26. "Churches of Stornoway | Stornoway Historical Society". stornowayhistoricalsociety.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  27. "St Peter, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis - The Scottish Episcopal Church". The Scottish Episcopal Church. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  28. "Our Holy Redeemer". www.ourholyredeemerstornoway.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  29. Stornoway. "Welcome :: Stornoway". stornowayfreechurch.com. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  30. http://stornowayfreechurch.org/SFCWeb/SFCAbout.php?name=ChurchHistory
  31. "Church Services". www.welovestornoway.com. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  32. "High Free Church". www.highfreechurch.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  33. "Stornoway group of 250 quits the Church of Scotland". BBC News. 2014-05-19. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  34. "www.knockfreechurch.co.uk/". www.knockfreechurch.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2017-04-19. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  35. "Point Free Church". Point Free Church. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  36. "Back Free Church - Homepage". www.backfreechurch.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  37. "Church". Free Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  38. "Stornoway Free Church Continuing". www.stornowayfcc.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  39. "Knock & Point Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)". Knock & Point Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  40. "Stornoway Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  41. "North Tolsta Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  42. "About". www.apcstornoway.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  43. "Home". Stornoway Reformed Presbyterian Church. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  44. "Home". Stornoway Baptist Church. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  45. "Stornoway | The Salvation Army". www.salvationarmy.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  46. "New Wine Church » Our Church". www.newwinechurch.com. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  47. "Manish-scarista Parish Church - Harris, Western Isles - Places of Worship in Scotland | SCHR". www.scottishchurches.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  48. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/33357/Manish_Scarista.pdf
  49. "Christ Church, Isle of Harris - The Scottish Episcopal Church". The Scottish Episcopal Church. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  50. "Find Us". www.ourholyredeemerstornoway.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  51. "Harris Free Church". Harris Free Church. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  52. Blunt, David. "HARRIS". www.freechurchcontinuing.org. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  53. "North Harris Free Church". northharris.freechurch.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  54. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/islands/western-isles/369873/perth-man-helping-to-run-crisis-hit-harris-church/
  55. "Scalpay Free Church | Just another WordPress site". scalpay.freechurch.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  56. http://scalpay.freechurch.org/
  57. Blunt, David. "HARRIS". www.freechurchcontinuing.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  58. Blunt, David. "SCALPAY HARRIS". www.freechurchcontinuing.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  59. "South Harris (Leverburgh) Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  60. "North Harris (Tarbert) Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  61. "Skye and Harris «  AP Church". www.apchurches.org. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  62. "Kilmuir Church, North Uist - Scotlands Churches Trust". Scotlands Churches Trust. 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  63. "Carinish Church of Scotland - Home". www.carinish-church.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  64. "Carinish Church, North Uist - Scotlands Churches Trust". Scotlands Churches Trust. 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  65. "St Brendan the Navigator, Isle of North Uist - The Scottish Episcopal Church". The Scottish Episcopal Church. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  66. Argylldiocese1. "North Uist – Holy Cross". www.argyll.anglican.org. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  67. "North Uist | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  68. "North Uist, Grimsay & Berneray". North Uist, Grimsay & Berneray. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  69. "Church". Free Church of Scotland. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  70. "North Uist & Grimsay Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)". North Uist & Grimsay Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  71. "North Uist Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland". www.fpchurch.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  72. "Welcome to The Benbecula Parish Church Website - A Church without Walls". www.benbeculaparishchurch.org. Archived from the original on 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  73. "Eriskay St Michael | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  74. "Benbecula St Mary | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  75. "Hebridean Parishes of Ardkenneth and Bornish". Hebridean Parishes of Ardkenneth and Bornish. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  76. "St Mary's Bornish". Hebridean Parishes of Ardkenneth and Bornish. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  77. "Daliburgh St Peter | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  78. "Garrynamonie Our Lady of Sorrows (Served from Daliburgh) | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  79. "St Bride's Gerinish". Hebridean Parishes of Ardkenneth and Bornish. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  80. "St Joseph's Howbeg". Hebridean Parishes of Ardkenneth and Bornish. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  81. http://www.southuistandbenbeculafreechurch.org/
  82. "Barra Parish Church". www.barra-church.org. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  83. Stuff, Good. "Barra, Cuier, Parish Church and Churchyard, Barra, Na h-Eileanan Siar". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  84. Stuff, Good. "Barra, Castlebay, Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Barra, Na h-Eileanan Siar". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  85. "Castlebay Our Lady, Star of the Sea | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  86. "Craigston St Brendan | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  87. "Eoligarry St Vincent de Paul (served from Castlebay) | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  88. "Northbay St Barr | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  89. "Vatersay Our Lady Of the Waves & St John | RC Diocese of Argyll & the Isles". rcdai.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  90. "Home". Uig Church. Retrieved 2017-11-02.

References
  • Malhotra, R. (1992) Anthropology of Development: Commemoration Volume in Honour of Professor I.P. Singh. New Delhi. Mittal. ISBN 81-7099-328-8

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