Interim Moderator: -
Rev. Paul R. Read (01847 811441) Session Clerk: _ Mr.
Robert Nicol (01847 894441)
St. Peter's & St. Andrew's Church, Thurso,
in Deferred linkage with Olrig
Parish Church, Castletown, having been vacant for the past fifteen
months,
has received permission to call a Minister without restriction to
this charge
The ministers of Saint Peter's Church since 1833 are listed
below:
1833 - 1843 Walter Ross Taylor
1843 - 1859 William Dalziel
1860 - 1910 John Stewart Miller
1910 - 1935 George R.MacLennan
1939 - 1946 Robert M. Fraser
1946 - 1951 Andrew K.Fairlie
1952 - 1964 Dugald C. Alexander
1965 - 1988 Donald S. Riach
1989 - 2005 Kenneth M. Borthwick
Saint Peter's Church of Scotland was
opened on the first Sunday of 1833. "A neat and plain
church with a tower or spire to contain 1800 sitters and well
adapted to hearing the minister. " The fine site is
apparent as one approaches the town from the River Bridge. The
interior of the church is attractive in it's layout with the
pulpit and communion table at centre. In 1914 the present
pipe organwas
installed and the downstairs pews were replaced by the present
comfortable seating centre. The pews upstairs are original.
The memorial windows at either side of the pulpit are of
particular note. It is thought that the founder of the
Boys Brigade
,Sir William Smith, born at nearby Pennyland Farm, may have
worshipped here as a boy.
Old St Peter's Church
The remains of the original St Peter's Church Thurso can be
seen a short distance along Riverside Road from the bridge
near the outlet of the River Thurso. The picturesque ruin is
mainly from the 17th century although parts of the building
have been on the site since the 12th century. An unusual
feature of the church is that the main window faces south. By
1830 the church had become unsafe and it decided to build a
new church. The last sermon in the church was preached by the
minister, Walter Ross Taylor, on
Sunday 30 December
1832. A history of this church was previously online
at Thurso High School's website. The unknown author of this
history has not been located and the page can only be found in
cached form on Google et al. The page is reproduced
here
for any who wish to read it's history.
Saint
Andrew's Church.
The former St Andrew's Church Thurso, in Olrig Street -
about three minutes from the town centre - was originally
built as the first Free Church in the town. The Church, with
it's prominent spire, was opened for public worship in 1871.
It became part of the United Free Church in 1900 and of the
Church of Scotland in 1929. In 1946 it united with St Peter's
Church to form St Peter's and Saint Andrew's Church and
services were held in the two buildings on alternate Sundays
until Saint Andrew's Church was closed in 1968. A part of
Saint Andrew's Church is now used as a Funeral Parlour.
How to get in touch
Thank
you for visiting our website.
If there is anything you feel may be incorrect or
inappropriate to this website, please contact us by emailing
St Peter's church or the webmaster, Iain MacKillop
(choose from the drop-down box)
The remains of the original St Peter's Church Thurso can be
seen a short distance along Riverside Road from the bridge
near the outlet of the River Thurso. The picturesque ruin is
mainly from the 17th century although parts of the building
have been on the site since the 12th century. An unusual
feature of the church is that the main window faces south. By
1830 the church had become unsafe and it decided to build a
new church. The last sermon in the church was preached by the
minister, Walter Ross Taylor, on
