Canisbay Parish Church facts for kids
Canisbay Parish Church is a special church in Canisbay, Scotland. It belongs to the Church of Scotland, which is the national church of Scotland. This church is very old, dating back to the early 1600s! It's also famous for being the most northern church on the mainland of Britain. Imagine how far north that is!
The church building is considered very important, so it's a "Category A listed building." This means it's protected because of its history and special design. Around the church, there's a large cemetery, which is a place where people are buried. It has an older part and a newer part. The church itself has a square bell tower, a main hall called a nave, and a porch. The porch was added in 1891 when other parts of the church were also updated.
Contents
A Look at Canisbay Church
What Makes the Church Special?
Canisbay Parish Church has a unique design. Its square bell tower stands tall, and the nave is where people gather for services. The porch, added in 1891, gives the entrance a welcoming feel. These features show how the church has changed and grown over hundreds of years.
Discovering Its Past
The church was rebuilt in the 1600s. During this time, or later, ancient remains were found in the cemetery after a wall fell down. This shows just how much history is hidden around the church!
A very important person named Jan De Groot is buried in the Canisbay cemetery. He was the person who started the famous village of John o' Groats. His tombstone is actually inside the church building. Many visitors come to see it, especially in the summer when the church is open.
Stories from the Community
A book called Lest We Forget: The Parish of Canisbay was published in 1996. It's a collection of memories and stories written by people who lived in Canisbay or loved the area. The book was made so that future generations could understand what made Canisbay such a special place to live.
Royal Connections
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Visits
From 1959 to 2001, a very important person often visited Canisbay Parish Church. This was Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who was the mother of Queen Elizabeth II. She would come to the church regularly, usually in late summer each year. She owned a nearby castle called the Castle of Mey, and when she stayed there, she would attend services at Canisbay Church. It's pretty cool to think that a queen worshipped in this historic building!
External Links
- Parish website
