Martin's Memorial Church, Stornoway
| Martin’s Memorial Church, Stornoway | |
|---|---|
Martin’s Memorial Church | |
Martin’s Memorial Church, Stornoway | |
| 58°12′31″N 6°23′12″W / 58.20861°N 6.38667°W | |
| Location | Stornoway |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland[1] |
| Previous denomination | United Free English |
| Website | martinsmemorial.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Category B listed building |
| Designated | 25 November 1980 |
| Architect | Robert Alexander Bryden FRIBA |
| Style | Early English Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 27 August 1877 |
| Completed | 18 October 1878 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 630 persons |
| Length | 70 feet (21 m) |
| Width | 50 feet (15 m) |
| Spire height | 82 feet (25 m) |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Lewis |
| Parish | Stornoway Martin’s Memorial |
| Clergy | |
| Minister | Rev Thomas MacNeil |
Martin’s Memorial Church is a Category B listed building in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
History
In 1876 the congregation purchased the site at a cost of £250 (equivalent to £29,700 in 2023)[2] at the corner of Francis Street and Kenneth Street.
The foundation stone was laid on 27 August 1877[3] by Dr. Adam of Glasgow. It was constructed from red Torridon Sandstone with white stone dressings. Designed by the architect Robert Alexander Bryden of Glasgow it was constructed mainly by local contractors. The mason, plumber and painter works were carried out by local tradesmen, the wright-work by John Baxter of Glasgow, the plasterwork by A.W. Paterson of Dunoon, and the glazier work by C&J Malloch of Glasgow.[4] The baptismal font was presented by the architect. The building was opened for worship on Friday 18 October 1878.
The spire was added in February 1911 at a cost of £1,189 (equivalent to £152,900 in 2023)[2] to the designs of the architect Alex Macdonald.
In 1913 the congregation of the James Street United Presbyterian Church united with the Free English Church, and its building and manse were sold, with the proceeds of the sale passing to the latter, renamed as the United Free English Church.
In 1929, the congregation unanimously voted for the adoption of a new name for the United Free English Congregation, which then became Martin’s Memorial Church.
Organ
The current Harrison Pipe Organ, purchased at a cost of £2,600 (equivalent to £116,000 in 2023)[2] and opened on 20 November 1949.[5]
References
- ^ "Stornoway Martin's Memorial". Church of Scotland. Church of Scotland. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ "New Free Church at Stornoway". Saturday Inverness Advertiser. Scotland. 15 September 1877. Retrieved 8 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Opening of a new Free Church at Stornoway". Saturday Inverness Advertiser. Scotland. 26 October 1878. Retrieved 8 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "A pipe organ". Ross-shire Journal. Scotland. 25 November 1949. Retrieved 8 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.