Presbytery of Lewis
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The Presbytery of Lewis is one of the twelve principal presbyteries of the Church of Scotland (analogous to a diocese in Episcopal denominations).
Despite many efforts in the first two centuries after the formation of the Church of Scotland, it was not until the 18th century that efficient church government began in Lewis. Under King James IV, a company of persons termed 'undertakers' were sent to Lewis to found a church court in 1598. This proved unsuccessful, with many dying in the process. It was tried again in 1601, which was also unsuccessful.[1] In 1610, The minister of Gairloch, Farquhar McRae, was sent to Lewis since, it was claimed, 'its inhabitants were strangers to the Gospel'.
In 1724 the General Assembly severed the entire district of the Outer Islands (from Lewis in the North to Barra in the South) from the Presbytery of Skye.[2] The presbytery of Lewis was created in 1742 by the division of the Presbytery of Long Island [also called Innis Fada] (which covered the whole of the Outer Hebrides) into the Presbyteries of Lewis and Uist.[2]
Prior to 1724 the Outer Hebrides were part of the Presbytery of Skye. It was formerly part of the Synod of Glenelg.[2] This later became the Synod of Ross, Sutherland and Caithness (until its dissolution on 1 January 1993).[1][3]
It was invited to join the new Presbytery of the Highlands and Islands in 2024 but deferred its decision to join.[4]
Much of the information below is taken from the Church of Scotland Yearbook 2025–2026.[5]
| Parish(es) | Population | Former parishes | Buildings | Founded | Minister(s) | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barvas | 1,988 | Barvas | Medieval | Vacant | 72 | |
| Carloway | 946 | Carloway, Shawbost | Carloway (Callanish) | Duncan M. MacAskill (2019–) | 45 | |
| Cross Ness[6] | 1,256 | Cross | Vacant | 56 | ||
| Kinloch | 918 | Park | Laxay | Iain M. Campbell (2008–) | 31 | |
| Knock | 2,258 | Knock (Garrabost) | 1829TC | Guardianship
Donald W. MacDonald [OLM] (2025–) |
24 | |
| Lochs-Crossbost | 892 | Lochs-Crossbost (Liurbost) | Medieval | Guardianship | 6 | |
| Lochs-In-Bernera l/w Uig | 252 | Lochs-in-Bernera (Breacleit) | Hugh Maurice Stewart (2008–) | 28 | ||
| 397 | Uig (Miavaig) | Medieval | 17 | |||
| Stornoway: High[7] | 10,751 | Stornoway High (orig. Free Church) | 1845 (1909) | Gordon Macleod (2019–) | 92 | |
| Stornoway: Martin's Memorial[8] | Martin's Memorial, Stornoway
(orig. Free English Church) |
1875 (1878) | Tommy MacNeil (2006–)Brian Macleod [Assistant] (2025–) | 345 | ||
| Stornoway: St Columba's | Gress | St Columba's, Stornoway | 1794 | William Heenan (2012–) | 118 |
Congregational history
- Barvas Parish Church (1933–)
- Barvas Parish Church (1857–1933), formerly Barvas and Ness Parish Church (C16th-1857), formerly St Mary's Parish Church, Barvas (ancient-C16th)
- Barvas United Free Church (1900–33), formerly Barvas Free Church (1845–1900)
- Carloway Parish Church (1929–), formerly Carloway United Free Church (1900–29), formerly Carloway and Callernish Free Church (1844–1900)
- Cross Ness Parish Church (1976–), formerly Cross Parish Church (1935–76)
- Cross Parish Church (1857–1935), formerly Ness Parliamentary Chapel (1828–57), formerly St Peter's Parish Church, Ness (ancient-C16th)
- Ness Parish Church (1929–35), formerly Cross United Free Church (1900–29), formerly Cross Free Church (1843–1900)
- Kinloch Parish Church (1995–)
- Kinloch Parish Church (1929–95), formerly Kinloch United Free Church (1900–29), formerly Kinloch Free Church (1885–1900)
- Park Parish Church (1965–95), formerly Park Church Extension Charge (1963–65)
- Knock Parish Church (1929–)
- Knock Parish Church (1857–1929), formerly Ey Parliamentary Chapel (1828–57), formerly St Columba's Parish Church, Ey (ancient-C16th)
- Knock United Free Church (1900–29), formerly Knock Free Church (1843–1900)
- Lochs Crossbost Parish Church (1929–), formerly Lochs United Free Church (1900–29), formerly Lochs Free Church (1843–1900)
- Lochs in Bernera Parish Church (1929–), formerly Lochs Parish Church (1722–1929), formerly St Columba's Parish Church, Lochs (ancient-C16th)
- Stornoway High Parish Church (1929–), formerly Stornoway High United Free Church (1900–29), formerly Stornoway Free Church (1844–1900)
- Stornoway Martin's Memorial Parish Church (1929–), formerly Stornoway English United Free Church (1913–29)
- Stornoway English United Free Church (1900–13), formerly Stornoway English Free Church (1876–1900)
- Stornoway James Street United Free Church (1900–13), formerly Stornoway United Presbyterian Church (1858–1900)
- Stornoway St Columba's Parish Church (1929–), formerly Stornoway Parish Church (−1929), formerly Stornoway, Gress and Ey Parish Church (1722–1857), formerly Stornoway, Gress, Ey, Lochs and Uig Parish Church (C16th-1722)
- St Adamnan's Parish Church, Stornoway (ancient-C16th)
- St Olaf's Parish Church, Gress (ancient-C16th)
- Uig Parish Church (1979–)
- Uig Baile-na-cille Parish Church (1929–79), formerly Uig Parish Church (1722–1929), formerly St Coman's Parish Church, Uig (ancient-C16th)
- Uig Uigen Parish Church (1929–79), formerly Uig United Free Church (1900–29), formerly Uig Free Church (1843–1900)