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 special church on Whalsay island in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It's part of the Church of Scotland. This church is found north of Brough village, on a piece of land called Kirk Ness. It's connected to the main island by a narrow strip of land.
The church is an important place for the people of Whalsay. It serves as the main burial ground for the village. Whalsay Kirk is one of three churches in the Parish of Nesting. The other two are in Nesting and Lunnesting. This historic building is officially recognized as a Category B Listed Building. This means it's an important building that needs to be protected.
A Look at Whalsay Kirk's Past
This church is named after the Holy Rood, which means "Holy Cross." In the past, around 1845, the church was visited often by the local minister. There were plans to make it a "Parliamentary church," but this did not happen.
Around that time, the church got a new roof. People noted that the seats inside were not very comfortable! Whalsay Kirk became a Category B listed building in 1974. This listing helps to preserve its history and unique features.
What Whalsay Kirk Looks Like
This old church stands on the North Ness. It was built on the spot where an even older church from 1733 once stood. That first 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 on the south wall.
The church you see today was changed in 1867. It was built using local fieldstone with nice sandstone decorations. It has a modern grey tile roof. The south wall has four sections. Two of these have large windows placed high up. The other two have smaller windows placed lower down.
On the western side, there's a round-arched door. Above this door, you can see a polished stone bell tower. The north wing of the church is used as a vestry. This is a room where the clergy prepare for services. Inside this wing, there is a special memorial to Alexander Shand.
The east wall used to have a doorway. Now, a central window from 1767 is above that spot. Inside the church, you'll find wooden panels from the 1800s. There are also wooden pews, a gallery, and a pulpit with panels. Stairs lead up to the pulpit on the north side.
The Church Grounds
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 and have 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 here. These memorials remember those who served in the First World War and Second World War.
