Church Overview

In 1877, local Episcopalians began to gather to hold services in Tain Town Hall. A year later “an iron church, calculated for 70 people,” was built “at a cost of £179 – 18 – 00”, officially opemomh on the 17th September 1878. This “Tin Tabernacle” structure was replaced by the present church, built in 1887 by local craftsmen, using local stone, to a design by Ross and Macbeth of Inverness. The rectory, which adjoins the church, was built in 1898 to a design by Alexander Ross.

The church building itself is of significant historical interest, housing one of the few unaltered C. & F. Hamilton (Edinburgh) organs, which was installed in 1914. Much of the woodwork inside is by ‘Mousey Thompson’ (Robert Thomson of Yorkshire) whose characteristic “signature” is a small carved mouse located somewhere on each piece of furniture. The St Andrew’s ‘mice’ have been described as “running everywhere” and if you look carefully you will notice seven of them altogether, hiding on the lectern, the pulpit, the altar rail and on the woodwork behind the high altar itself (similar mice can also be spotted in Pluscarden Abbey, near Elgin.)

On the North side of the church there are two stained glass windows by William Wilson RSA (1905–1972), one of Scotland’s finest artists. He started his glass career with James Ballantyne & Son, prior to which he worked as a map maker. He studied at Edinburgh College of Art, before opening his stained-glass studio in Edinburgh in 1937. During his career he produced over 300 windows, for churches, cathedrals and secular buildings all over Scotland. One of these is the “musician’s window” in the sanctuary, with Miriam (sister of Moses and Aaron), King David and St. Cecilia, the Patron Saint of Musicians.

The nave altar was designed and carved from American oak in 1995 by Peter Bailey, a retired architect who lives on the Isle of Skye. It was a gift to St Andrew’s from Miss Kathleen Montgomery, Organist of the church, in memory of her parents, Canon William Montgomery (Rector from 1935-47) and Mrs Montgomery.

Services

Eucharist 11.00am each Sunday. Thursday Eucharist 6.00pm

Opening Arrangements

Sunday 10:30am-12:30pm and by special 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.