Lochgilphead Parish Church

History of Church

Lochgilphead was a typical ‘new town’ of the early 19th century- with a Parish Church at the head of a wide main street looking down to the shore. These villages were a result of the Highland Clearances, and the herring fishing was an alternative to crofting.

The first parish church was built in 1827 as a Parliamentary Church- funded by the Government to assist this population movement. This proved inadequate for the growing community, and was replaced in 1885 by the larger present building, complete with clock bell tower. The architect was John Honeyman of Glasgow. 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 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.

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. 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.