Lerwick and Bressay Parish Church facts for kids
Lerwick and Bressay Parish Church is the biggest Church of Scotland group of churchgoers in Shetland. It serves Lerwick, which is the capital of the islands, and the areas around it.
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About Lerwick and Bressay Parish Church
This church is a very important part of the community in Shetland. It brings together many people who want to worship and learn about their faith.
Where People Worship
The church has three main places where people meet for services:
- Gulberwick Church: This church is about 4 kilometers south of Lerwick. Services are held here every Sunday morning at 10:00 AM.
- St Columba's Church: You can find this church right in the center of Lerwick. Services take place here every Sunday morning at 11:15 AM. This building was updated in 2008.
- Bressay Church: This church is on the island of Bressay. Services are held here on Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM during the summer months. In winter (November to April), services are at 3:00 PM.
The Main Church Building
St Columba's Church in Lerwick is now the only official parish church for the Church of Scotland in Lerwick. This building was built a long time ago, in the late 1820s. It is the largest church building in all of Shetland. It is also a special building that is protected because of its history.
A large church organ was put into St Columba's Church in 1871. This was a big deal because it was only the second Church of Scotland building to have an organ. Before 1866, the church rules did not allow musical instruments during worship. But after the rules changed, churches could start using instruments like organs.
Our Minister
As of 2014, the minister for Lerwick and Bressay Parish Church is Caroline Lockerbie. A minister is the leader of the church and helps guide the congregation. The minister before her was Gordon Oliver, who served from 2002 to 2010. He later moved to another parish in Caithness.
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