St Michael & All Angels, Inverness facts for kids

St Michael & All Angels, Inverness
St Michael & All Angels Church
St Michael & All Angels, Inverness Location in Highland
57°28′55″N 4°14′16″W / 57.48194°N 4.23778°W / 57.48194; -4.23778
Denomination	Scottish Episcopal Church
Churchmanship	High Church
Website	www.stmichaelschurchinverness.org/
History
Dedication	St Michael and All Angels
Administration
Diocese	Moray, Ross & Caithness

St Michael & All Angels is a special church in Inverness, a city in Scotland. It belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the worldwide Anglican family of churches. You can find it on the west side of the River Ness. This church is part of the Diocese of Moray, Ross and Caithness.

The Church's Story

How St Michael's Was Built

The church building we see today was finished in 1903. It was built on Abban Street. Before this, there was a smaller church called the Holy Spirit mission chapel. That chapel was on the other side of the River Ness. When they built the new church, they made it longer.

Famous Architects and Designers

The main architects for the church were Ross and Macbeth. They were a well-known firm in Inverness. But a very famous architect named Ninian Comper made many important changes. He worked on the church in 1904, 1905, 1923, 1924, and 1928. Because of his beautiful work, the church is sometimes called the "Comper Jewel in the Highlands of Scotland."

What the Church Looks Like Inside

The church has a simple design, like many old Gothic buildings. It has a main area called a nave, a front entrance area called a narthex, and a special area for the altar called a chancel. There's also a small chapel called the Lady Chapel. The building is made of stone and has a slate roof. At the front, there's a bell tower with a pointed top.

Inside, the ceiling looks like the inside of a wagon. Many of the beautiful details and furnishings were designed by Ninian Comper. His father, Reverend John Comper, was actually a priest in Inverness. Ninian Comper designed the special curtains around the main altar, the stone font for baptisms, and the colorful stained-glass windows.

A Special Building in Scotland

St Michael & All Angels is listed as a Category B listed building. This means it's an important historic building, especially because of its beautiful interior. The house next door, where the church's rector lives, is also a Category B listed building. It was built in 1911.

Church Traditions

The church follows a style of worship called Anglo-Catholic. This is a tradition within the Anglican Church that uses older, more traditional ways of worship.

Who Leads the Church?

As of October 2021, the current leader of St Michael & All Angels is the Reverend Canon Dr Iain Macritchie.

People Connected to St Michael's

• Inverness Cathedral: Another important church in Inverness.
• Len Black: A person who used to be the rector (leader) of this church.
• John Crook: He was also a rector here. Later, he became a bishop for the area of Moray, Ross and Caithness.
• Alexander MacEwen: He was a server and a member of the church's vestry (a church council). He was also a well-known political figure in Scotland.