St Conan’s Kirk
St Conan’s Kirk is an enigma. Many readers will pass by on a regular basis and never imagine the glory that lies within. But a visit to St Conan’s is surprising and enchanting. The Kirk is a testament to the brilliance of its designer, Walter Douglas Campbell. Arriving in the area in the late 1870s, Walter bought the nearby island of Innischonan and built a stately mansion house where he lived with his sister Helen and his mother. The elderly Mrs Douglas Campbell found the long drive by carriage to the parish church in Taynuilt, some seven miles away, to be too much for her, so her son thoughtfully decided to build her a church close by. Campbell’s first design, completed in 1886, was relatively simple but he started work on a grander design in 1907 and devoted the rest of his life to it until he died in 1914. The roof was raised and the additions included a beautiful light-filled apse, a south aisle with three chapels, a cloister garth and a crypt. Walter Douglas Campbell was a man of many talents, all of which he devoted to the Kirk. He was a capable if somewhat unorthodox architect, a collector of objets d’art and a skilled woodcarver. He also had a strong sense of humour and this is evident in many of the details throughout the Kirk. Children will enjoy the depictions of animals and birds and funny carved faces. Though much of the Kirk is in a Norman or Romanesque style, there are also many examples of different influences – Gothic flying buttresses, Saxon towers and quirky gargoyles! In fact it is understood that Walter deliberately tried to reference every type of ecclesiastical architecture found in Scotland from every period. This is borne out by the circle of Standing Stones at the entrance gate. To fully appreciate all the architectural design that St Conan’s offers, the lochside façade, the side furthest from the road, must be viewed. Walter died in 1914 and work had to be suspended during the Great War. As soon as work could be resumed Walter’s sister Helen dedicated herself to carrying out his plans. She died in 1927 and the project was finally completed by their nephew and Trustees. Throughout the Kirk you will find evidence of strong ties with the local community and also of the Douglas-Campbells’ connections with the Royal Family. Walter’s own family is commemorated in a number of areas. In 2016, St Conan’s Kirk has been recognised by RIAS, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, as one of the 100 best buildings of the last century. This is an impressive achievement as the selection process was extremely competitive. Now the public is being asked to choose the ‘People’s Favourite’ from amongst the 100. Until July 3, St Conan’s is hosting the touring Scotstyle Exhibition which celebrates these best buildings. St Conan’s now also has a permanent exhibition for visitors. This illustrates the fascinating story of how the Kirk came to be built and includes architectural insights and historic photos.