Church Overview

There has been a religious settlement on this site since medieval times, with the earliest church here thought to have been dedicated to the 7th century Celtic missionary St Neachtain. Its earliest surviving documentary reference dates to 1157, when Pope Adrian IV granted the church here to the Bishop of Aberdeen.

The current Gothic kirk was built, for around £2000, in 1875-76 by the celebrated Victorian architect William Smith, who also designed Balmoral Castle and a number of other rural Aberdeenshire churches. Constructed with robust Syllavethy granite ashlar blocks, quarried in the parish, it replaced a kirk of 1790, which had itself replaced one of 1604. The now detached bellcote of the 17th century church has been preserved inside the graveyard. .

The peaceful interior was refurbished between the wars, when a new pulpit was installed and a vestry formed. The dark stained timber pews and gallery remain as do multiple oil lamp fittings hinting at the church’s pre-electric past. The interesting font, in the form of a kneeling angel, came from the small private chapel and mausoleum of Whitehaugh House along with lecterns and some small pews.

The Church of Scotland took the decision in 2000 to close Tullynessle and the nearby churches of Alford East and Keig, all of which were marketed for sale soon thereafter. After plans for conversion to a private residence fell through, the Friends of Tullynessle Kirk took on the building and use it to hold occasional services, weddings, concerts and other events. 

The church is surrounded by a historic burial ground, containing many interesting but heavily worn, memorials and the above mentioned belfry.   

Services

Occasional

Opening Arrangements

Open by arrangement

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.