Church Overview

Kilmeny Parish is an ancient parish; the present church is situated about 400m north east of its medieval predecessor standing within the old graveyard. There is evidence of a number of early Celtic Church foundations within the parish boundary, and nearby is Finlaggan, the administrative centre of the historic Lords of the Isles.

The church was rebuilt in 1828 while the government was constructing two “Telford Kirks” on Islay at Risabus, on the Oa, and at Portnahaven and a new manse at Kilmeny, which is now a private home. The work was paid for by heritor Walter F Campbell and much of the surviving interior woodwork is similar to that still located at Portnahaven. The church also possesses a fine bronze World War One memorial by Scottish sculptor James Gray depicting a dying soldier being comforted by an angel who points to a rising sun, above a list of the local fallen. 

Caol Ila Distillery Company presented an electric organ to the church during their 125th anniversary in 1996 and the interior has recently been upgraded with comfortable seating both on pews and padded chairs. The church vestry has been renovated to provide wheelchair access and an accessible toilet.

Kilmeny is linked with St Kiaran’s, near Port Charlotte, St John’s, in Port Ellen, Kilarrow (The Round Church), in Bowmore, Portnahaven Parish Church and Jura Parish Church into a single Islay and Jura Churches Parish. Portnahaven and Kilmeny are earmarked for closure in the near future.

Services

Sundays: 10.00 am

Opening Arrangements

Open daily

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.