Sunday 23 December 2012

Invergordon Church of Scotland

Invergordon Church of Scotland
Invergordon stands on the shoreline of the Cromarty Firth in the North of Scotland.  The deep-water channel and busy harbour, combined with the area’s outstanding natural exquisiteness and natural world, makes Invergordon an ultimate destination for the many ships and cruise liners, which visit the port each year. Until 1843 the people of Invergordon worshipped in the Parish Church, a magnificent sandstone church which still stands in Rosskeen graveyard.  That was the year of the 'Disruption', when the greater part of Highland ministers and their congregations left the Established Church and formed the new Free Church. Plans for new Church were presented by the architects Ross and Joass of Inverness, based on plans commissioned by the Free Church from a Liverpool architect. Two sites were considered - the 'hill at the East end of the town' or 'Colin Fraser's stack yard, which was obviously the preferred option. The original plan was for three galleries, but as a cost-cutting measure, these were omitted. The church was opened on Wednesday 23 October 1861 at a total cost of £2500. The first minister was the Rev. Colin Sinclair. In 1862, money was subscribed to pay for a clock and bell in the spire. In 1868 one gallery, facing the pulpit was added. The vicarage was constructed in 1877, and the hall added in 1895, most of the funding for this coming from an unidentified donor- later revealed as Mr. David Denoon of Rosskeen Free Church and a local merchant. In 1900 the congregation joined the new United Free Church. The outburst of the First World War brought great change, with the town's population growing to around 20,000 due to its use as a Naval Base.  The halls was put to many uses, including being a Recreation Room for Service men, an Isolation Hospital and even, for a year, a home for a family whose house had burned down.  In February 1916, a special communion service was held for soldiers about to leave for France.
In 1929, along with most United Free Congregations, Invergordon Church joined with the Church of Scotland. The Second World War brought further changes, with ladies running a mobile canteen and sending parcels to the troops.  The hall was taken over by military Authorities.
Services and Activities
SundayMorning Worship (crèche and children’s meetings available)11.00 – 12.00
SundayEvening Worship6.30 – 7.30
TuesdayLadies Fellowship (held in church hall)10.00 – 12.00First Tuesday of each month (except July & August)
TuesdayLadies Prayer Meeting (held in different members homes each month)10.00 – 12.00Second Tuesday of each month (except July & August)
TuesdayLadies Meeting (different each time; eg a speaker, Christian DVD, looking into the Bible, etc)(held at Jean’s house)10.00 – 12.00Second last Tuesday of each month (except July & August)
WednesdayKintyre House (residential home for the elderly) service2.45 – 4.00First Wednesday of the month
ThursdaySoup lunch12.30 - 2.00Last Thursday of each month
ThursdayPrayer & Praise7.30 – 8.45

  • BBC & Angus Roxburgh promote the Church of Scotland narrative on the Middle East (bbcwatch.org)

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