Church Overview

A Telford Parliamentary kirk built 1828 by William Thompson. T-plan with north, east and west galleries. The symmetrical south front has two tall four-centred arched windows and two doorways. Still contains box pews on either side of original pulpit. Interesting stencilling can be seen beneath layers of peeling paint, may be part of original colour scheme.

Legend has it that one door is used by Portnahaven residents exclusively, the other door by residents of nearby  village of Port Wemyss.

Another Parliamentary kirk was built at the Oa (now ruinous) and a Parliamentary manse was built for Kilmeny Parish Church, which was reordered internally at the same time along the same lines as the other two churches.

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

Services

Sunday: 10.00am

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.