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“They built with their skills a place to worship God.” STRONE (St. Columba’s) CHURCH
The b April 11th 1937 The Parish of Strone united with the Parish of Ardentinny ARDENTINNY CHURCH
The Church was built before Strone Church in 1839 by the
local laird, Douglas of Glenfinart at a cost of KILMUN (St. Munn’s)
The villag The Church became linked to Strone (St. Columba’s) and Ardentinny in 1986 when the Rev John Holland became minister of the three churches, two congregations.
The total membership of both Parishes number 254 with an increase in attendance in church during the holiday period when visitors join us in worship.
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uilding
of St. Columba’s Church, Strone, began in 1858 and
opened for public worship 1859. In 1908, it was decided
to rebuild the church yet retain the existing spire and
tower, using this as the principal entrance to the
church. Peter MacGregor Chalmers, whose work includes
the restoration of Paisley Abbey, submitted the plans
and supervised the work which included an extension to
the rear of the church for a large hall, a session room,
a vestry, kitchen and toilet facilities. Stephen Adam
Jnr., one of the pioneers of stained glass in Scotland,
designed the windows. Each window was donated by and
dedicated to members of the Church and to the glory of
God. With its interior dressed and carved sandstone
walls and pillars, the building has been compared to a
small cathedral. The church has been well maintained
over the years with repairs to the tower, further
extension of the chancel, replacement of the heating and
improvement to the amplification system. The church
accommodates 210 people.
£500.Above the entrance porch is a small tower with a
church bell that summoned all the estate workers who
were expected to attend church twice each Sunday.
Everyone had to be in their place before the Laird
arrived! The Laird and his family sat in raised pews at
the rear of the church from where they could see the
congregation. Their pews had doors to keep out the
draught, As this was a small community, a missionary
“minister” from Dunoon took the services. In the early
days, it would have been an entirely Gaelic speaking
community The building is of a simple, easy to maintain
design and can accommodate 100 people. Due to a local
legacy, the church continues to be well maintained with
no cost to the congregation. There are many artifacts in
the church which are of interest to visitors including
two large plaques commemorating the Royal Naval
Commandos “HMS Armadillo” who used the beaches for
training during the second world war. It may be a small
but those who attend church enjoy the cosy and relaxed
atmosphere generated by this building and the friendly
village community spirit.
e of Kilmun and the Church (St. Munn’s) are
named after a Celtic abbot, Mundus, who settled there
above the banks of the Holy Loch in the 10th
century. The church
is the oldest of the three churches. It is named after
St. Mund or Mundus, a Scottish Celtic saint, who
founded a Celtic monastery at Kilmun in the 10th
century. Its growth and development over a thousand
years is a fascinating story intertwined in Celtic
history. Many visit the Church and admire the many
stained glass window depicting the history and the
message of the Church or listen to the fine organ, not
only known for its tone but because it is now the last
remaining organ in the West of Scotland whose bellows
are primed by an hydraulic pump. Leaflets are
available, giving a brief history of the church.
