Culloden church welcomes back old friends for 40 year celebration

Published on 27 September 2022

An Inverness church welcomed back some familiar faces from across Scotland to help celebrate a 40-year milestone.

The Barn Church at Culloden held a weekend of celebration and thanksgiving to mark the opening of "The New Barn" in 1982.

Back row: Rev Jean Boyd of Drumoak & Durris; Declan McKee, representing Boys Brigade; and session clerk Lorna Mason. Front row: Most recent Barn Church minister Rev Mike Robertson; former Barn Church elder Rev Derek Gunn, who represented former members who have entered the ministry; church manager and elder Issy Freudenthal; Sunday School representative Carrie-Ann Law; and retired former Barn Church minister Rev Jim Robertson.

Although the original Barn has a long history of Christian worship, the opening of The New Barn 40 years ago marked a new era for the church, which serves the Culloden, Balloch, Smithton, Westhill and Cradlehall area to the east of the Highland capital.

The original barn was built in the early 18th century and was used to shelter Jacobite troops on the eve of the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

In the 20th century, it was used by Inverness East Church as a mission station. This led to Barn Church being awarded the status of an extension charge and taking the first steps towards becoming an independent church on New Year's Day 1975. The Barn's first minister, Rev Peter Taylor, was ordained to serve the new housing estates being built in the area.

Rev Derek Gunn with Boys Brigade representative Declan McKee, who is working towards his King’s Badge.

To meet the growing demands of its mission, a modern hall-church, "The New Barn", was opened in August 1982 and linked to the historic building, which now serves as the church hall, with a new entrance, kitchen and toilets.

This month, the congregation celebrated the anniversary of the opening of the New Barn with two days of events, beginning on Saturday with a barbeque and a chance to see photographs and videos from The Barn Church's history among the entertainment on offer.

A praise and thanksgiving service followed on Sunday, attended by previous ministers Rev Jim Robertson and Rev Mike Robertson, the most recent minister at Barn Church who is now a healthcare chaplain with NHS Highland, the family of the late Rev Peter Taylor and past and present elders, missionaries and youth group leaders and members.

Morale booster

Rev Graeme Dunphy, who was the second of Barn Church's four ministers over the past four decades, was unable to attend, but former Barn Church elder Rev Derek Gunn represented past members who have gone on to ministry.

During the service on Sunday the Moderator of Inverness and West Moray Presbytery, David Thompson, presented long service certificates to David Reid and Elizabeth Mackenzie who both have served the Barn faithfully for 41 years each.

Church manager Issy Freudenthal said: "Although the Barn is in vacancy and also coming through Covid it was thought that celebrating 40 years – perhaps a young church in age – was a way of coming together."

David Reid and Elizabeth Mackenzie, who have both served Barn Church for over 40 years, received long service medals from Inverness and West Moray Presbytery moderator David Thompson (right).

The weekend had been hailed as a tremendous success from all who attended, she added.

"People enjoyed hearing stories from past and present members over the years and catching up with old friends," she said.

"This gave The Barn a morale boost going forward towards our future. We were reminded by the preaching on the Sunday: ‘God's dwelling place is in you and is always on the move.'"