Attribution: photograph courtesy of W J McCulloch

Ferintosh Church of Scotland, Conon Bridge

This church, built in 1909, stands within the Parish of Ferintosh, formerly known as the Parish of Urquhart and Logie Wester.

“Logie” in Gaelic means “valley or hollow” and in the valley of the River Conon there was a small township adjacent to the present Conon House. The township church was known as Logie Wester to distinguish it from Logie in Easter Ross.

Near to Conon House can be found the foundations of Logie Wester Church, now overgrown, but calculated to be 66 ft by 50 ft. It was stone built, would have been thatched with heather and had a loft added, probably in the 17th century.

Sometime before 1490 the Parishes of Urquhart and Logie Wester were united and by the mid 17th century the original Logie Wester Church was finding it hard to compete with the more centrally situated Urquhart Church. In 1749-50 the Urquhart Church was rebuilt and enlarged as a result of which the church at Logie became disused and was in ruins by 1792. The rebuilt Urquhart Church of 1749 was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire forty years later. Its successor, also called Urquhart Church, was built nearby and opened in 1795.

The building of a bridge over the River Conon in 1810 led to the establishing of the village of Conon Bridge, further enhanced by the arrival of the railway in 1863. The Rev Walter Macquarrie became minister of Urquhart in 1891 and, that year, he began fortnightly evening services in Conon School. He saw the need for a “Mission Church” in the village and this was achieved by July 1906.

The Mission Church continued until 1961 when union with the former United Free Church of Ferintosh and Maryburgh took place and the united congregation took the name of Ferintosh.

Ferintosh Church of Scotland - possibly 1920s

Attribution: Photo by Tony Innes

Ferintosh Parish Church 1909 - 2009

Book written by Mhairi Mackenzie

“This booklet aims to recollect the life and times of our church here in our community; however, not only to look at how these recollections have shaped who and what we are today, but also how they might enable us to shape the life of our church here in the future.

It takes us through the history of the church in terms of its buildings, its ministers, its worship and its place within the community, and ends with all that is happening within the life of our church today. An appropriate way perhaps to end such a booklet, leaving scope and opportunity to look to the future as we seek to build on what we already have in place.”  – Andy Graham

Attribution: Book written by Mhairi Mackenzie

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images 
Conon » Conon Places » Conon Churches » Conon Ferintosh Parish Church
Fred McCreadie, a very impressive Session Clerk (J.M.)
Fred McCreadie, a very impressive Session Clerk (J.M.)
Roderick, and Katie Urquhart with Tom Thomas (J.M.)
Roderick, and Katie Urquhart with Tom Thomas (J.M.)
The `orra loon’ Jim Yuill waiting to prepare the barbecue
The `orra loon’ Jim Yuill waiting to prepare the barbecue
Our customers (J.M.) [`JM’ indicates that the photographs are by Joan Mackenzie.]
Our customers (J.M.) [`JM’ indicates that the photographs are by Joan Mackenzie.]
Margaret and Roddie Mackinnon
Margaret and Roddie Mackinnon
Two ecclesiastical gentlemen
Two ecclesiastical gentlemen
Our very own ecclesiastical gentleman !
Our very own ecclesiastical gentleman !
Music Sheet
Music Sheet
Centenary Service - order of service
Centenary Service - order of service
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Long Service Certificates
Long Service Certificates
Back row l-r: Tom Gray, Eric Munro, Moderator, Gordon Holroyd, Jim Bremner, Linda Holroyd Front row l-r: Isabel Mackenzie, Esma Neilson, Catherine Maclennan, Nettie Roy, Andrew Graham All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Moderator's Visit
Moderator's Visit
All photos of Moderator's visit courtesy of Martin McLauchlan
Following the Service a commemorative photograph was taken by Alasdair Cameron
Following the Service a commemorative photograph was taken by Alasdair Cameron
Photograph courtesy of Alasdair Cameron
Photograph courtesy of Alasdair Cameron
Won't you buy my pretty flowers?
Won't you buy my pretty flowers?
(Pat Gillanders)
Photographs by Mhairi Mackenzie
Photographs by Mhairi Mackenzie
Photographs by Mhairi Mackenzie
Photographs by Mhairi Mackenzie
Photographs by Mhairi Mackenzie
Photographs by Mhairi Mackenzie
If you find asbestos, be prepared for disruption!
If you find asbestos, be prepared for disruption!
Asbestos-covered pipes removed. The joists are in remarkable shape, apart from right side, considering the Church was flooded in the 1960s when the River Conon burst its banks.
Area awaiting new joists.
Area awaiting new joists.
Very few joists requiring attention on this side.
Very few joists requiring attention on this side.
Kenneth Ross, joiner, at work. Insulation in place between joists.
Kenneth Ross, joiner, at work. Insulation in place between joists.
Ready for new floor.
Ready for new floor.
Floor complete.
Floor complete.
Main area with new floor and new heating.
Main area with new floor and new heating.
October 2013. Last minute touches before first Sunday worship in refurbished Church.
October 2013. Last minute touches before first Sunday worship in refurbished Church.
Church with Banners for flower festival
Church with Banners for flower festival
As part of fund-raising a Flower Festival was organised by members of Ross-shire Flower Club, the theme being Flowers in Praise. The displays were spectacular, and here are only a few.
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Repairing Tree Damage
Repairing Tree Damage
The winter of 2013-2014 brought more expense when a large limb of the "squinty tree" was brought down in a storm and the services of a tree surgeon had to be secured. A member of the congregation with a fascination for such work had time to record only the first stages of the procedure!
Repairing Tree Damage
Repairing Tree Damage
Repairing Tree Damage
Repairing Tree Damage
Flower Festival
Flower Festival
Photo by Mhairi Mackenzie
Rev Roderick Mackenzie in his later years.
Rev Roderick Mackenzie in his later years.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Bull, of Melbourne, Australia, who is a great-granddaughter of Rev Mackenzie
A view of the Church taken prior to the car park
A view of the Church taken prior to the car park
A view of the Church taken prior to the car park formed in 1969, courtesy of Alasdair Cameron.

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