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 church that belongs to the Church of Scotland. It's a type of Christian church called Presbyterian. You can find the church building on Church Road in Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. This church serves the town of Pitlochry, which is a popular place for tourists in the Tummel valley. The church building is very important and is listed as a 'category A listed building' in Scotland, meaning it's a building of special architectural or historic interest.
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History of Pitlochry Church
The church in Pitlochry has a long history, going back to at least the 7th century. Back then, it seems a church was built and dedicated to St Colm or St Colman. We also know about early Christian activity from the Dunfallandy Stone. This stone is from the 8th century and shows a Celtic Christian Cross. It was found near Killiecrankie, about 4 miles north, but was later moved closer to Pitlochry.
The Original Church at Moulin
For many years, the main church for the area was at Moulin, just north of Pitlochry. This church was important even in the Middle Ages. In the 1100s, King William the Lion gave land and rights for the Moulin church to the monks of Dunfermline Abbey. Later, in 1231, Pope Gregory IX also supported the monks' control over Moulin, which helped them earn more money.
Building the New Church in Pitlochry
In 1873, a big fire badly damaged Moulin Kirk. After this, people decided to build a new church in Pitlochry itself. 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 mixes different styles like Romanesque Architecture, Victorian Gothic, and Byzantine features.
In the church grounds, there's a monument for Alexander Duff (1806–1878). 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 from the United Free Church of Scotland joined back with the Church of Scotland. Because of this, the Pitlochry United Free Church (which started in 1863) became known as the East Church. The building we use today became the West Church. People lovingly called the West Church "Mount Zion" because it stood high up, looking over the village. In 1934, it became the second parish church for Moulin Parish.
Later, in 1989, Moulin Kirk stopped being used for worship. Then, in 1992, the East and West Churches in Pitlochry joined together. They formed what is now known as "Pitlochry Church of Scotland."
Ministers of the Church
Over the years, many ministers have led the church. One important minister from Moulin Kirk was the Very Rev Adam Ferguson. He served as the Moderator of the General Assembly in 1772. This is a very high position in the Church of Scotland.
The Church Today
Today, Pitlochry Church of Scotland is a busy church with many activities for people of all ages. The church's main goal is "To know Christ and to make Him Known." This means they want to learn about Jesus Christ and share his message and love with as many people as possible. They also aim to help the community around them.
The most recent minister was the Reverend Mary M Haddow. She started her role in March 2012 and retired in 2022. A big part of her teaching was about spiritual formation. This means helping people grow and develop as a whole person through their relationship with Jesus Christ. The minister also serves as a Chaplain at Pitlochry Primary School and Pitlochry High School. In 2011, the church had 418 members and people who regularly attended.
Services
- Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:30am. Drinks are served after the service.
- Prayer Meeting: Wednesday at 10:00 am — held in The Tryst.
See also
