The Presbytery of Lewis is one of the twelve principal presbyteries of the Church of Scotland (analogous to a diocese in Episcopal denominations).
Despite many efforts in the first two centuries after the formation of the Church of Scotland, it was not until the 18th century that efficient church government began in Lewis. Under King James IV, a company of persons termed 'undertakers' were sent to Lewis to found a church court in 1598. This proved unsuccessful, with many dying in the process. It was tried again in 1601, which was also unsuccessful. [1] In 1610, The minister of Gairloch, Farquhar McRae, was sent to Lewis since, it was claimed, 'its inhabitants were strangers to the Gospel'.
In 1724 the General Assembly severed the entire district of the Outer Islands (from Lewis in the North to Barra in the South) from the Presbytery of Skye. [2] The presbytery of Lewis was created in 1742 by the division of the Presbytery of Long Island [also called Innis Fada] (which covered the whole of the Outer Hebrides) into the Presbyteries of Lewis and Uist. [2]
Prior to 1724 the Outer Hebrides were part of the Presbytery of Skye. It was formerly part of the Synod of Glenelg. [2] This later became the Synod of Ross, Sutherland and Caithness (until its dissolution on 1 January 1993). [1] [3]
It was invited to join the new Presbytery of the Highlands and Islands in 2024 but deferred its decision to join. [4]
Much of the information below is taken from the Church of Scotland Yearbook 2025-2026. [5]
| Parish(es) | Population | Former parishes | Buildings | Founded | Minister(s) | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barvas | 1,988 | Barvas | Medieval | Vacant | 72 | |
| Carloway | 946 | Carloway, Shawbost | Carloway (Callanish) | Duncan M. MacAskill (2019-) | 45 | |
| Cross Ness [6] | 1,256 | Cross | Vacant | 56 | ||
| Kinloch | 918 | Park | Laxay | Iain M. Campbell (2008-) | 31 | |
| Knock | 2,258 | Knock (Garrabost) | 1829 TC | Guardianship Donald W. MacDonald [OLM] (2025-) | 24 | |
| Lochs-Crossbost | 892 | Lochs-Crossbost (Liurbost) | Medieval | Guardianship | 6 | |
| Lochs-In-Bernera l/w Uig | 252 | Lochs-in-Bernera (Breacleit) | Hugh Maurice Stewart (2008-) | 28 | ||
| 397 | Uig (Miavaig) | Medieval | 17 | |||
| Stornoway: High [7] | 10,751 | Stornoway High (orig. Free Church) | 1845 (1909) | Gordon Macleod (2019-) | 92 | |
| Stornoway: Martin's Memorial [8] | Martin's Memorial, Stornoway (orig. Free English Church) | 1875 (1878) | Tommy MacNeil (2006-)Brian Macleod [Assistant] (2025-) | 345 | ||
| Stornoway: St Columba's | Gress | St Columba's, Stornoway | 1794 | William Heenan (2012-) | 118 |
Barvas:
Cross or Ness:
Knock or Ey:
Lochs:
Stornoway:
Uig:
| Church | Founded | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| St Columba's, Eye or Uidh | Medieval | C18th |
| St Lennan's, Stornoway | 1630 | 1794 |
| St Olaf's/Aula's, Gress | Medieval | C19th |
| Cross Old Church | 1829 TC | |
| Lionel Mission Hall, Ness | c. 2010 [9] | |
| Callanish Mission Hall | c. 2017 [10] | |
| Lemreway Church | 2025 [11] |