Cromar Parish Church
A Brief History
The area of the Parish of Cromar is some 40,058 acres, and includes
the old parishes of Coull, Migvie, Logie Coldstone, and Tarland.
Coull Kirk is one of the oldest Christian sites in Aberdeenshire, being
founded by St. Nathalan (died 8th January 678) although the present
building dates from 1792. Migvie Church was dedicated to St Finian,
and prior to the Reformation of 1560 belonged to the Priory of St
Andrews. Logie Coldstone Parish was formed in 1618 when Logiemar Church,
dedicated to St Wolock, was united with Colquholdstone, or Coldstone,
Parish. There has been a Church in Tarland since the 12th century. This
was dedicated to St Mathuloch, and up
until the time of the Reformation belonged to the Priory of St Andrews.
Tarland Parish was united with Migvie Parish in the early 17th century
to form the Parish of Tarland and Migvie. The old Parish Church of Tarland was
built in 1762 and used for worship until 1870 when the congregation
moved the short distance to worship in the current building of St Moluag's Church.
Tarland Church
St Moluag's Church
The first service to be held in the newly built St. Moluag’s Church took place on 25th August 1870 and was conducted by the Rev. John Stuart of St. Andrew’s Church, Edinburgh. In 1889 the front part of the Church was added and the following year the tower block with spire was built on.
As a result of the Disruption of 1843 the churches in Tarland and Logie Coldstone had divided into the Established Church and the Free Church; but in 1940 the South Church (the United Free Church) and the Parish Church in Tarland (St. Moluag's) were united. The United Free Church of the Braes of Cromar closed and united with Logie Coldstone Church at around the same time. In 1945 Migvie Church left Tarland Church to be united to Logie Coldstone Church. In 1951 the Parish of Coull was linked, and in 1975 united, with Tarland Parish. This Parish of Coull and Tarland was then united with the Parish of Logie Coldstone then with the Parish of Migvie in 1984 to become the present widespread Parish of Cromar.
Cromar Parish is served by two places of worship, the main building being St. Moluag's Church in Tarland where Sunday morning worship is currently held at 10am. Coull Kirk is retained as a place of worship for the summer months when the weather is warmer and the days are longer, the reason being the building is not supplied from the electrical mains. The interior of Coull Kirk is lit by oil and gas lamps which give the building little more than a warm glow! During the summer evening services are held and for one Sunday in the year the congregation will gather to worship at Coull instead of St Moluag's Church.
Coull Kirk
This page is currently under construction and is therefore
not yet complete
any relevant contributions would be appreciated:
reverend@aboynedinnetchurch.org.uk