Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown

Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown
Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown
Highland Parish Church, Campbeltown
55°25′16.5″N5°36′15″W / 55.421250°N 5.60417°W / 55.421250; -5.60417
Location	Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute
Country	Scotland
Denomination	Church of Scotland
Previous denomination	Gaelic Church
History
Status	Parish church
Architecture
Functional status	Closed
Heritage designation	Category B listed building
Designated	20 July 1971
Architect	George Dempster
Style	Classical
Completed	1808
Closed	July 2023 [1]

Highland Parish Church is a Category B listed building ^[2] in Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute.

History

A Gaelic Church was built in 1642 at the south-east end of Kirk Street. By the early 19th century it was decided to replace it with a new building, and the congregation built Highland Parish Church between 1803 and 1808 at a cost of £2,395 (equivalent to £235,900in 2023). ^[3] The architect was George Dempster of Greenock and the superintendent for building was Robert Watt of Glasgow.

During construction the design of the steeple was changed, which resulted in the partial collapse of the building. On 18 November 1830 ^[4] the steeple was struck by lightening. Damage was estimated at £300. It was rebuilt again in 1833 by John Baird of Glasgow. It was struck again by lightening on 19 December 1884 ^[5] when 30 to 40 ft of the steeple was demolished and rebuilt in 1885. ^[6]

A substantial renovation of the building was undertaken in 1924. The walls of the church were strapped and plastered, and the ceiling panelled with broad bands. The old gallery seating and flooring was cleared out, new flooring laid, and the seating rearranged and modernised. The two windows either side of the pulpit were replaced with new leaded glass. Two sunlights were installed in the ceiling, and the gas lighting was improved. The building was re-painted, the woodwork stained, and the passages laid with cork carpet. ^[7]

Organ

The first pipe organ in the church was installed in 1934. It was obtained second hand, having been built by Forster and Andrews of Hull in 1890 for Bothwell Parish Church in Glasgow. It was installed in Campbeltown by H. Hildson of Glasgow who re-built it with improvements. ^[8]

A new small two manual and pedal pipe organ with 11 speaking stops by Harrison and Harrison was installed in 1954. ^[9]

Closure

In 2022 the Presbytery of Argyll decided to combine the two parish churches in Campbeltown and the congregation was merged with that of Lorne & Lowland Parish Church.

The church closed in 2023 and the building was offered for sale by the Church of Scotland. ^[1]

References

1. "Final Service in 200-year-old town church". Campbeltown Courier. Scotland. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2025– via Pressreader.
2. Historic Environment Scotland. "New Quay Street, Highland Kirk (Church of Scotland), with boundary walls and gate piers (LB22942)" . Retrieved 24 November 2025.
3. UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth . Retrieved 7 May 2024.
4. "Thunder Storm" . Inverness Courier. Scotland. 24 November 1830. Retrieved 24 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "The Highland Parish Church at Campbeltown..." . Glasgow Herald. Scotland. 20 December 1884. Retrieved 24 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
6. Walker, Frank Arneil (2000). Argyll and Bute (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Scotland). Yale University Press. p. 154. ISBN   0300096704.
7. "Re-opening of Campbeltown Church" . Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser. Scotland. 25 October 1924. Retrieved 24 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
8. "The Highland Church. Dedication of Pipe Organ" . Campbeltown Courier. Scotland. 3 February 1934. Retrieved 24 November 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
9. "Strathclyde, Campbeltown, Highland Parish Church [N00573]". National Pipe Organ Register . British Institute of Organ Studies . Retrieved 24 November 2025.