Pitlochry Church of Scotland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pitlochry Church of Scotland |
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Pitlochry Church of Scotland
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 Pitlochry Church of Scotland
Location in Perth and Kinross
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| 56°42′15″N 3°43′58″W / 56.7042°N 3.7328°W | |
| OS grid reference | NN940582 |
| Location | Pitlochry |
| Country | Scotland |
| Language(s) | English |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Churchmanship | Christian, Presbyterian, Reformed |
| Membership | 266 |
| Website | http://www.pitlochrychurchofscotland.org.uk |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Pitlochry |
| Presbytery | Perth Presbytery. Formally, 'Dunkeld and Meigle' (until 31 December 2022) |
Pitlochry Church of Scotland is a Christian church located in Pitlochry, Scotland. It is part of the Church of Scotland, which is a type of church called Presbyterian. The church building is found on Church Road in Pitlochry. It serves the town of Pitlochry, which is a popular place for tourists in the Tummel valley. The church building is very important historically. It is known as a 'category A listed building', meaning it is protected because of its special history and architecture.
Contents
History of the Church
The church in Pitlochry has a very long history. Its story goes back to at least the 7th century. Around that time, a church dedicated to St Colm or St Colman was likely founded here.
Early Christian Times
There is more proof of early Christian activity nearby. The Dunfallandy Stone is an old stone from the 8th century. It shows a Celtic Christian Cross. This stone was found near Killiecrankie, about 4 miles north. It was later moved closer to Pitlochry, to Dunfallandy farm.
The Church at Moulin
For many years, the main church for the area was at Moulin. This village is just north of Pitlochry. In the Middle Ages, the monks of Dunfermline Abbey were given land and rights to the church at Moulin. This gift came from William the Lion, who was King of the Scots from 1165 to 1214. In 1231, Pope Gregory IX also gave the monks more control over Moulin. This helped them earn more money.
Building the New Church in Pitlochry
In 1873, a big fire badly damaged Moulin Kirk. After the fire, people decided to build a new church in Pitlochry. Mr. Archibald Butter of Faskally offered land for the new building. Dundee Architects Charles & Leslie Ower designed the new church. It was finished by 1884. The design mixed different styles, including Romanesque Architecture and Victorian Gothic.
Outside the church, there is a monument to Alexander Duff. He was the first missionary from the Church of Scotland to go to India. A church hall was also built in 1910.
Uniting the Churches
In 1929, many churches joined back with the Church of Scotland. The Pitlochry United Free Church, which started in 1863, became known as the East Church. The building used today became the West Church. The West Church was called "Mount Zion" because it stood high above the village. In 1934, it became the second parish church for Moulin.
In 1989, Moulin Kirk stopped being used for worship. Then, in 1992, the East and West Churches joined together. They formed what is now known as "Pitlochry Church of Scotland".
Ministers of Note
One important minister from Moulin Kirk was the Very Rev Adam Ferguson. He served as the leader of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly in 1772. This was a very important role.
The Church Today
Today, Pitlochry Church of Scotland is an active church with many activities. It aims to help people learn about and share the Christian faith. The church also works to serve the community around it.
In 2024, Pitlochry Church of Scotland joined with Blair Atholl and Struan Church of Scotland. The current minister is the Reverend Mark Foster. He started his role for both churches in October 2024.
Services and Meetings
- Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 am. Drinks are served after the service.
- Prayer Meeting: Wednesday at 10:00 am. This meeting takes place in The Tryst.
See also
