Church Overview

This prominent Callander landmark church began life as a simple four-bay church, built in record time in 1843, by the local Free Church congregation who had recently left the Church of Scotland, who carted the stones, wood, lime and other materials themselves from local farms and quarries. The land to build upon was gifted by local banker and businessman Donald McLaren, who later funded the addition, to the little church’s west gable, an impressive square clock tower, with a belfry and topped with a pyramidical roof.

The church’s sanctuary and chancel were entirely rebuilt in 1860-61, to designs by George Penrose Kennedy. The architect matched the new structure’s exterior to the Italianate stylings of the retained clock tower while providing seating for 700 worshippers in the newly enlarged church. One newspaper of the time described the rebuilt church as “an ornament to the village” and its interior as “a model of convenience and comfort”. Another opined “in few provincial towns in Scotland can there be found a place of worship combining  comfort, convenience and elegance in a higher degree.”

In 1900, following the union of the Free Church of Scotland and the United Presbyterian Church, the building was known as Callander United Free Church. Further changes were made to the building in 1907, with the addition of a round arched door flanked with Doric columns. In 1929, after a national union of the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland, the church was renamed St Bride’s Church of Scotland.

Its interior, consisting of a long central nave with side aisles, was fully refurbished in the early 20th century. The nave is segmented, with roof vaults held aloft on an arcade of Corinthian columns. There’s a wood panelled gallery the west end facing the chancel, with its fine carved oak choir stalls, at the east end. The beautifully carved oak pulpit, decorated with animals representing the four apostles, is dated 1895 and was originally located in St Kessog’s Church, and moved here following the merger of the two churches in 1985 when the building’s name was given its current name of Callander Kirk.

The church also houses a fine pipe organ by the firm of Abbot and Smith and stained glass windows in the east end, installed in 1861, depicting Christ offer the cup of salvation to Mary and St John. The tower bell was cast in 1855 in the Glasgow foundry of John C. Wilson and the tower’s clock was made by William Harvey of Stirling.

Services

Sundays at 11.15am

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.