Church Overview

The present church was built in 1772, though there is believed to have been at least three churches on the site before this one. St Colmon’s is a Gothic rectangular plan church built with coursed granite rubble and contrasting ashlar dressings. The church was recast and enlarged by David Bryce (1803-1876) in 1849 and then substantially rebuilt by Robert Lorimer (1864-1929) in 1899. The lintel of one of the previous churches is preserved and is visible on the outside south wall of the building. There is an inscription on this reading “Heir is ane hous bult to serve God 1591” with other dates nearby, marking significant rebuilds or alterations to the building in 1772, 1849 and 1899.

The peaceful interior, primarily the work of Lorimer, is focused primarily on the chancel, with its carved oak communion table, reredos and pulpit, each crafted to Lorimer’s designs by woodcarvers William and Alexander Clow. Items of note include the well executed font, a memorial to Cpt Peter Norman Tinn who died on active service in 1942, two detailed matchstick church models by the “Matchstick Man” Jim Miller and some fine marble wall memorials to local worthies. There is also a magnificent Grade 1 listed Norman and Beard pipe organ which was installed in 1908, its oak case also the work of the Clow workshop. The instrument was fully refurbished in 2003.

The church is graced with a collection of wonderful stained glass windows. Above the pulpit, sits a three light window designed by the outstanding Arts & Crafts artist Louis Davis, considered by many authorities to be the last surviving member of the Pre-Raphaelite school. This magnificent triptych window was installed in 1910, depicting historic figures and angels looking upwards towards the gates of heaven and scenes from the Benedicite, was described at the time by architect Robert Lorimer as potentially “the finest example of stained glass, ancient or modern, that had ever been produced.” Davis also designed the beautiful war memorial window, installed after World War One, showing a medieval warrior receiving the Crown of Life from Christ above a depiction of a war-torn battlefield. He is also credited with several smaller windows located around the church.

On the north wall there is a window designed by Scotland’s most celebrated stained glass artist Douglas Strachan, depicting ‘The Good Shepherd’, that was installed in 1925 in memory of John Wanklyn McConnell of Knockdolian. There are also two late-19th century windows by Ballantine & Gardiner, portraying Christ’s promise to Martha that Lazarus will be raised from the dead and a depiction of the Resurrection of Christ. There is a wonderful depiction of the church’s patron saint designed by James Humphries Hogan, from James Powell & Sons. “St Colmonella” is depicted in a white robe and the window is signed with a tiny monk in one corner, symbolic of the location of the studio in London’s Whitefriars district. There are also some modern windows, depicting the Tree of Life, by Maria McClafferty, and two Millennium Windows flanking the organ, designed by Catriona McKinnon, that depict the origins of Christianity in south west Scotland and list the names of St Colmon’s ministers from 1483 to 2000.

The kirkyard contains over 400 memorials, many dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. These include a gravestone for the Covenanter Matthew McIlwraith, who was killed nearby in 1685, a outstanding 18th century “Adam and Eve” stone depicting the pair being tempted by the serpent, and the 17th century vault of the McConnel family from Knockdolian Castle.

The church was marketed for sale by the Church of Scotland in July 2026, during a period when the denomination was radically reducing its nationwide property portfolio.

Services

Sundays at 10am

Opening Arrangements

By arrangement with the church

Image Gallery

Click image to open gallery.

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.