History
The Church Hall was built in 1911, designed by William Todd, who was in the Charles Rennie MacIntosh school of design. Todd's buildings have a distinctive sweep of roof curves. His promising career was cut short by the First World War. The hall has recently undergone a complete refurbishment and now provides an excellent facility for the use of the church and the local community. The first minister was Peter MacKichan (1804-42) whose early death was as a result of his hard work to establish the church. His nephew Peter Neil MacKichan (1837- 1911) would later become the sixth minister of Lochgilphead in 1863. In 1982, a MacKichan Society was formed which commissioned a stained glass window in Lochgilphead to commemorate both ministers. Mr Sax R Shaw of Edinburgh, designed the window on the themes of Peter walking on the water to Christ (Matthew 14:22-23), and the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:10-11). They were unveiled by the Revd. Dr Ian MacKichan of Old Kirkpatrick Parish Church on July 1st, 1984, and dedicated on May 19th 1985. Other notable ministers were: John McFarlane was minister from 1847 till his death in 1859. His fame in church history was as the first resident Christian minister in New Zealand from 1840-44. Dr Alexander C Robertson was minister from 1877-1933 and was the driving force behind the building of the present church and hall. Rev Archie Beaton was minister from 1935-43. He went on to become President of An Comunn Gaidhealach (The Highland Society, the main body which promotes Gaelic culture) In 1973, the Church was granted its own Coat of Arms |
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