Whalsay Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whalsay Parish Church |
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Whalsay Kirk
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 Whalsay Parish Church
Location in Shetland
Whalsay Parish Church
Location in Scotland
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| 60°22′10″N 0°59′43″W / 60.36957°N 0.99540°W | |
| Location | Whalsay |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Churchmanship | Presbyterian |
| History | |
| Dedication | Holy Rood |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Presbytery of Shetland |
Whalsay Parish Church, also known as Whalsay Kirk, is a church on the island of Whalsay in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It belongs to the Church of Scotland. The church is located north of the village of Brough. It sits on a piece of land called Kirk Ness, which is connected to the main island.
This church is an important place for the people of Whalsay. It serves as the main burial ground for the villagers. Whalsay Kirk is one of three churches in the Parish of Nesting. The other two churches are in Nesting and Lunnesting. The building itself is special because it is a Category B Listed Building. This means it is a building of historical or architectural importance.
History of Whalsay Kirk
The church is named after the Holy Rood, which is a type of cross. In 1845, the church minister visited Whalsay Church many times during the year. At that time, the church received a new roof. People also noted that the seating inside was not very comfortable. Whalsay Kirk was officially recognized as a Category B listed building in 1974. This listing helps protect its historical value.
Church Design and Features
This old church stands on a spot called North Ness. It was built on the site of an even older church from 1733. That earlier church was a simple T-shaped building. It had arched doors and a gallery inside. The pulpit, where the minister speaks, was likely between the central windows.
The church was updated in 1867. It was built using local fieldstone with nice sandstone details. It has a modern grey tile roof. The south wall has four sections. Two sections have large windows placed high up. The other two have smaller windows lower down.
The main door on the west side is rounded at the top. Above it is a polished stone bell tower. The north side of the church has a two-story wing. This wing is used as a vestry, which is a room where clergy prepare. It also holds a memorial for someone named Alexander Shand. An old doorway on the east wall has a window above it dated 1767. Inside, the church has wooden panels from the 1800s. It also has wooden pews, a gallery, and a panelled pulpit with stairs.
Church Grounds and Memorials
The church is surrounded by a strong stone wall. This wall has a rounded concrete top. The main entrance gate is between two pillars. These pillars are also made of concrete with pointed tops. The gate itself is made of wrought-iron and has decorative medallions.
The churchyard, or kirkyard, has a newer wall around its northern and western parts. This is where people are buried. You can also find war memorials in the kirkyard. These memorials honor those who served in the First World War and the Second World War.
