St Moluag's Cathedral, Lismore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Molaug's Cathedral |
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| 56°32′4.78″N 5°28′49.03″W / 56.5346611°N 5.4802861°W | |
| Location | Lismore, Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
St Moluag's Cathedral is a special church found on the Scottish island of Lismore. This island is located near the coast of Oban. Today, it is a Church of Scotland church, which means it follows the Presbyterian faith. The building you see now was built in 1749. It stands on the very spot where a much older, 13th-century cathedral used to be. The new church even used some parts from the old one, but it looks like an 18th-century building.
Contents
History of St Moluag's Cathedral
Early Beginnings on Lismore Island
The story of St Moluag's Cathedral began a very long time ago. A saint named Saint Moluag (who lived until 592 AD) started a monastery on Lismore Island. This monastery became a really important place for Christianity in Scotland. Later, it became the main church for the medieval bishops of Argyll or the Isles.
You might think Lismore is a quiet, out-of-the-way place today. But back then, water travel was the fastest way to get around. So, Lismore was actually a perfect central spot for a church.
Building the Medieval Cathedral
The area around Argyll was not a very rich part of Scotland. Because of this, the medieval cathedral built there was quite small. Historians believe that construction started when Bishop Laurence de Ergadia was in charge (between 1262 and 1299). The western tower, a tall part of the church, was likely added later by Bishop Martin (between 1342 and 1387).
Changes Over Time
In 1749, the main part of the old cathedral, called the choir, was changed into a parish church. To do this, the building was made lower, and new windows were put in. The front part of the cathedral (the nave) and the western tower were taken down completely.
However, some parts of the old medieval church still remain. You can see three old doorways, though one is now blocked up. There's also a special basin called a piscina and a set of three arched seats called sedilia. Many old grave slabs from the medieval period are also kept inside the church or in the nearby graveyard.
The Church Today
St Moluag's Cathedral is still an active church today. It serves the people of Lismore as a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is also connected with Appin Parish Church, which is on the mainland. The current minister, or church leader, is Iain Barclay.
See also
