Wick Congregational Church
The old church building today.
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A church building for the Wick Congregational fellowship was erected in 1798, it was built to hold a capacity of 1,000 people. At the time, the fellowship had not long been formed and had a total of seven members. Most of the funding for the build was donated by one of the well known Scottish evangelists, Robert Haldane whose ministry was blessed in Caithness during the late 18th and 19th centuries.
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Among the bequests of the late Mrs Donald Donaldson who died in 1882 was the sum of £100 for the Congregational Church. This money was to be used to purchase of a communion set. It was manufactured by Messrs. Marshall & Sons Silversmiths of Edinburgh. The set was handed over to the church on Tuesday the 5th of January 1882 and consisted of four handsome fluted cups, a wine flagon and salver. On the centre of the latter is engraved the following inscription “To the Congregational Church Wick, the bequest of the late Mrs Janet Donaldson or Sutherland in memory of her deceased parents, James Sutherland and Janet Watson, long esteemed members of the Church”. This communion set is now in the Wick Heritage Museum and is on view to the public.
In 1880, a manse was erected at No. 36 Thurso Road where it was first occupied by the Rev. Sidney Tucker who as pastor of the church from 1892 to 1895. In the same year pastor Tucker left, a Mr E. Hughes who was a collector of customs moved in and then left in 1897. The Manse then lay vacant for two years and is now privately owned. The Congregational church Manse in the early 1900’s.
A ceremony took place at the laying of the foundation stone of the new church on the 21st of November 1882, it was attended by a large crowd and it began with the hymn:
“This stone to thee in faith we lay, We build this temple Lord to thee, Thy eye be open night and day To guard this house and sanctuary”. A prayer was then read by the Rev. Swan of Elgin and a History of the present building was read. |
The new Congregational church building when completed.
In 1882, after eighty four years of the congregation meeting in the building in Girnigoe Street, plans for a new church building was proposed. It is not known what site the new church was to be built on but a decision was made for the building to be erected at the foot of Shore Lane on the corner of the High Street. Among the contracts that were involved with the build were masons- Baillie and Mackintosh (known for making additions to Dunbeath Castle), joiner- John Swanson, plasterers- Sutherland and Sinclair and plumber- W. Johnston (the well-known photographic family). Wick architect William Brims promised that the building would be very handsome and that it would be an architectural ornament to the town, many would agree that it most certainly was. The building could seat a total of 400 people and more by adding a gallery if required. The erection of new church building just exceeded over a total of £2,000. A soirée for the Sunday school was held in the old church building on the 10th of January and was led by the Rev. Adam Dunlop. The interior was decorated with mottoes and greenery and addresses were given by superintendent Alexander Corner, Alexander Kelly, Kenneth Bain and James Grant, a number of hymns were also sung, accompanied by Miss Margaret (Maggie) Corner on the harmonium.
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Right- Mr Donald Anderson who was a deacon of Wick Congregational Church for many years as well as treasurer.
Middle- The church organ which was installed between 1909 and 1920.
Left- The interior of the the new Congregational church before the organ installation. Note that the pulpit is dressed for harvest.
Middle- The church organ which was installed between 1909 and 1920.
Left- The interior of the the new Congregational church before the organ installation. Note that the pulpit is dressed for harvest.