Tobermory Church

There has been a parish church in Tobermory’s upper village since 1828- the original building was replaced by the current Victorian gothic style building in October 1897 and since then additions and improvements have been made, most notably perhaps, the church hall, which was built in 1890.

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The church’s interior whilst not being lavish is comfortably furnished and many items bear testimony to Tobermory’s history and also to the generosity of previous churchgoers. These items include the colourful rose window, the lectern, the baptismal font and very recently, a new organ.

DIED AT SEA 27th August 1897 This is all we are told about A.W.Graham, to whose memory the round stained glass window is dedicated. Died at sea where? and what was he doing? Was he a sailor, a master mariner, a passenger or a yachtsman out for pleasure?
Archibald William Graham was born on Islay in 1860, son of a farmer, one of nine children. For some years up to the time of his death he and his father were tenants of Erray Farm. The farm was rented from Col. Caldwell of Mishnish. “A.W.” was much involved in the founding of Tobermory Golf Club in 1896 as he was the tenant of the land that the club used to lay out their first course. He was on the golf club committee and must have been quite a good player as he won a gold medal in January 1897 and played in a competition in July 1897. In August 1897 he was on the S.S. Carthaginian (of the Allan Line) on his way across the Atlantic. The Carthaginian arrived in Quebec on the 28th August, the day after he died. He never made landfall. Was he emigrating? Maybe a new life with land of his own, not just a tenant? Travelling with him was his brand new wife Mary McTavish (who was his first cousin). They married in Stirling on 17th August. They may have been going to visit his brother Alexander in Montana, or his uncle in New York but most likely her extended McTavish relations in
Eldon, Ontario, where Mary was born. Archibald’s death certificate states he was a passenger, the cause of death as exhaustion and double pneumonia, and the place of death as Latitude 51.55N Longitude 54.06W. Working out coordinates is not always easy, but it is off the northern tip of Newfoundland, just going into the St Lawrence seaway. Far from home, but not alone. But why is he commemorated on our church window? His mother Elizabeth and his wife Mary were both communicant members of Tobermory “High” church and were there when the exciting new church was planned and built in 1896. By adding a dedication to the rose window, where better
to remember a tragic young man with no grave? Olive Brown

Many Church activities take place, due largely to a willing and active congregation who take responsibility for the day to day running of the church. A multitude of rotas ensure that all goes according to plan and all volunteers are in the right place at the right time!

The congregation meets on Sunday mornings at 11 am for worship, except on the 1st Sunday of the month when it is 7pm April-October, 4pm November to March. Tea and coffee are served in the hall after the service providing the opportunity to welcome those on holiday, newcomers to the church and a catch up with friends.

A monthly newsletter keeps the congregation up to date with recent and planned events and is also available by email. There is a Facebook page. Other links with the community include a  services at the sheltered housing complex in Tobermory and links with nearby Tobermory High School.

The church is a popular concert and wedding venue and the church hall is in regular use throughout the year for fundraising activities e.g ceilidhs, soup lunches and sales. Whilst these activities are often aimed at enhancing church funds, the congregation also recognises its responsibility of giving to local and national charities.

In 2019 the new accessible entrance to the church was completed – a welcome and welcoming development.

As a congregation we are very aware of the spiritual and structural heritage bequeathed to us and pray that we can be wise and trustworthy stewards. Exterior work will ensure that the building remains wind and water tight whilst new heating and lighting systems will provide an efficient yet comfortable worship environment for the generations to come.We would also like to upgrade the entrance porch to reduce drafts to a minimum.

There are ambitious plans for the upgrading of the adjoining church hall.