Kilberry Church given over to community
Almost 100 people turned out on a sunny Easter Saturday in South Knapdale to witness the official Church of Scotland handover of the 200-year-old Kilberry Church, writes John MacCallum.
The newly-formed Kilberry 1821 Charitable Trust has taken over the stewardship of the church – and its ambitions to repurpose the historic place of worship as a community space have been heard far beyond the church boundaries.
The ceremony began with a moving and deeply reflective prelude of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, followed by the entrance of church officials and the Kilberry 1821 trustees, to the pipes and drums of Amazing Grace.
Tarbert parish minister the Rev Lyn Peden was accompanied by three former Tarbert ministers, Reverends Bill Gray, Jane Taylor and Sandy McCallum, who reflected on the past 200 years of worship in Kilberry Church, and engaged the crowd with some great anecdotes.
Peter Minshall, Kilberry 1821 trustee, who organised the historic event, said: “It was a wonderful afternoon, the balance and tone of the day was just right.
“The turnout far exceeded expectations.”
Tarbert’s Aggie Dennis, a
Royal Navy veteran, acknowledged the safe keeping of the Kilberry 1821 war memorials, while Kilberry 1821 trustee Agnes Wilkie received the original key of the building from the Rev Peden on behalf of the trust and the community of South Knapdale.
Lady Fiona Campbell Byatt, the oldest resident on the Kilberry Road, made a dedication for the future of the building with a Gaelic prayer, surrounded by the youngest children of the Kilberry Road.
Pipe Major John Hunt piped The Sands of Loch Stornoway - Pope’s Rock, composed by him for the occasion, and then he presented the original handwritten score to Kilberry 1821 trustee Duncan Byatt.
Edna Allbrooke, the sister of the late Kilberry Road resident Ian Bell, made a moving tribute to her brother and, in honour, John Hunt piped tunes The Hills of Argyll and Brown Haired Maiden from the pulpit.
At the end of the ceremony, the Kilberry Trust confirmed the creation of two new official positions; the Honorary Keeper of Kilberry 1821 War Memorials, conferred on Aggie Dennis, and the Hon Kilberry 1821 Piper for Pipe Major Hunt, who then piped the Kilberry 1821 trustees and church official from the building to Highland Cathedral, before everyone enjoyed an Easter tea.
Mr Minshall also thanked everyone for attending and for their support.
He added: “It is not every day that such a community has the chance to witness the turning of 200 years in such moving circumstances.
“Today was a practical example of sensible evolution, in that an important and architecturally iconic building would be preserved for community benefit.
“Looking to the future, there is a limitless potential for events and activities that will be to the benefit of the community - such as a space for lectures and speakers like those we have already enjoyed here in recent years, and musical recitals, mindfulness sessions, dance classes, meetings, cookery classes, and Burns readings at that time of year - all while raising valuable income for the future upkeep of the building, as there are some issues that need to be attended to such as the church’s roof.
“We are grateful to businesses such as Midton Acrylics in Kilmory which helped with our signs ahead of the ceremony, and those people outside the area with connections to South Knapdale who have made contributions towards our running costs, as any such donation is greatly appreciated.”