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Broadford Parish Church - A History of the Building

By Mr Peter Fulton, Church Elder & Former Session Clerk.

The first stone built Parish Church in the parish was built at Kilchrist at the beginning of the sixteenth century or slightly earlier, and could hold a congregation of approximately two hundred. When the number attending was greater than this, the service was held in the open air. One can just imagine the distances the members of the congregation had to walk from the various parts of the parish to attend the Sunday services.

In 1840, the Parish Minister at Kilchrist was the Rev. John MacKinnon. In that year, the present church at Broadford was completed and became the main Parish Church, although the minister continued to live in the Manse at Kilbride. The Rev. Donald MacKinnon, Johns father, had been minister at Kilchrist before him. In 1856, following the death of his father, the Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon M.A., D.D. became the new minister of the Parish of Strath, and the value of his work in the parish was recognised by the building of the Dr. MacKinnon Memorial Hospital in Broadford after his death in 1888. Three generations of MacKinnons, therefore, had been ministers in the parish for a total of 109 years.

The church in Broadford could seat approximately 600 of a congregation, and each township had their own unofficial seating area. In the 1930s, part of the balcony was removed, the old entrance was blocked off, and the current entrance and vestibule were created as at present.

The longest serving minister in Broadford church last century was the highly respected Rev. Dr. Hector Maclean D.D., who was inducted in 1914. He was very sadly killed in a road accident in 1943, when being taken to an Edinburgh hospital. It was only in 1929 that he moved into the Manse, following the union of the Church of Scotland and United Free Church. He had a family of seven, of which four became doctors, and surviving members of his family still visit the parish. The first baby to be baptised now Mrs Morag Sutherland still lives in Broadford. Baptisms in those days were performed in the home of the parents.

Among many other notable and highly respected ministers was the Rev. Archie MacVicar who was inducted in 1956. It was during his 17-year ministry that the Church Hall was built, and which has recently been renovated. About that time, the pulpit was removed from one side of the church to the other. Mr. and Mrs MacVicar had a family of four, all of whom became doctors. Considering the expense involved, and in the light of the level of ministers stipends at those times, this was no small achievement.

When the parish was a Gaelic-essential charge, the time of the English service was 11am. This was followed by the Gaelic service, the two congregations virtually meeting each other: one going out, as the other was waiting to come in.

History of Church Furnishings

Communion Table

The Communion Table is dedicated: To the glory of God in memory of the men of Strath who fell in the Great War, 1914 18.

Communion Chairs

The late J.A. MacInnes, Fordhill, donated the three chairs at the Communion Table in loving memory of his wife, Gertrude, who died in 1953.

Pulpit

The pulpit was donated by the late Duncan MacLeod of Skeabost, a native of Breakish, and is dedicated: To the Glory of God, and in memory of the Rev. Thomas McKay B.D., Minister of this parish from 1888 to 1904, and of his valued friendship with the donors father.

Baptismal Font

The baptismal font was the gift of the congregation and friends: To the Glory of God, and in affectionate memory of the Rev Dr. Hector MacLean D.D., a faithful and honoured Minister of this Parish, 1914 43.

Communion Cups

Alexander Macallister, Esq., of Strathaird, presented the two silver Communion Cups to the Church of Strath at Kilchrist in 1809. He also expressed the wish that, should the parish be divided, the cups should belong to that part of the parish in which Strathaird was situated.

Communion Plates

The two silver Communion plates were donated in 1888: To the Glory of God, and in affectionate remembrance of the Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon M.A. D.D., for 32 years Minister of the Parish, and his wife, Emma Flora, by their loving sons and daughters.

Church Clock

His family donated the clock in the church in memory of Mr John MacSween. Mr. MacSween was a former headmaster of the local school, and Session Clerk for many years.

Tapestries

The tapestries in the church and vestibule were made by members of the congregation, and donated to the church, and, To the Glory of God.

Organ

In the early 1990s, a member donated a new organ to the church. Another member also donated the fifteen choir chairs. Great credit is due to our excellent organist, Mr Jimmy Humphreys, and his wife Fay, for their very considerable contributions to the musical side of the church's worship.

By the preaching of His Word, and the pastoral care of the parish by our Minister, the Rev Dr Ben Johnstone and our Associate Minister, the Rev John Urquhart, we pray that our parish shall grow spiritually, and be blessed of God.

This short history of Broadford Church has been kindly provided by our elder, and former Session Clerk, Mr. Peter Fulton.