Church Overview

In the mid-19th century in Wick there was a revival of the Episcopalianism in the town. A local congregation met in Pultneytown Academy for many years, before eventually decided to raise the funds to build their own church in the mid-1860s. In 1868, they commissioned prolific church architect Alexander Ross, who had just designed St Andrew’s Cathedral in Inverness, to build them a small church with a capacity for around 100. The charming little Gothic church was opened 13th May 1870 by Bishop Robert Eden.

It possesses several interesting windows. Of particular note are four-light Caithness Glass windows, known affectionately as the ‘I am’ windows (‘I am the Good Shepherd’, ‘the Resurrection and the Life’, ‘the True Vine’, ‘the Bread of Life’), created by glass artist David Gulland, a former member of the vestry of St John’s, and installed in 1978. The 1870 stained glass window in the west end of the church depicts the Nativity and is by James Ballantine & Son and the window in the east end, above the altar, portrays the Passion, Crucifixion and Ascension and was installed around 1875.

Around the chancel arch the words “O come let us worship and fall down and  kneel before the Lord our Maker” have been hand stencilled by David Gulland. The Harrison of Durham pipe organ in the chancel was donated by Katharine Duff-Dunbar of Hempriggs in memory of her son Cpt Kenneth James Duff-Dunbar, who was killed in action in August 1944 and whose husband, Kenneth’s father, had fallen in World War One.

The church hall and the church itself are regular venues for community events and musical concerts, hosting local groups such as the Poltney Handbell Ringers and Wick Choral Society. The surrounding garden is also maintained by the congregation as a welcoming space for visitor.

Services

Sunday Sung Eucharist 11.30am 

Opening Arrangements

Open by arrangement and, during the summer months, on Wednesdays between 11am and 3pm

(in church hall)    ​

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.