Photographic copy of sections and interior elevation.

Description Photographic copy of sections and interior elevation.

Date c. 1910

Collection Records of Sinclair Macdonald and Son, architects, Wick, Highland, Scotland

Catalogue Number E 12239 P

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copy of SM 1910/44/1

Copies SC 778100

Scope and Content Photographic copy of cross section looking east, and elevation of one bay showing arcade of gallery, First Free Church, Olrig Street, Thurso, Highland This shows a design in watercolour and ink for the interior of the church by architect Sinclair MacDonald (1859-1930) in 1910. The left-hand image shows a Gothic arcade behind a panelled wooden altar, the seating galleries on the upper levels, supporting cast-iron columns, and a central traceried window flanked by arches. The right image shows part of the galleries and a further window design. Galleried churches enabled larger congregations to be accommodated, and also made it possible for various sections of the community to be separated, usually according to class. The design also allowed a clear view of the pulpit for a larger proportion of the worshippers. Thurso First Free Church replaced the original 'Disruption Free Church' (built c.1844) in 1870. It was designed by architect J Russell MacKenzie (d.1889) of Aberdeen in Gothic style, and is built from coursed rubble with tooled ashlar dressings. Its features include a crowstepped gabled façade, octagonal stair-tower, turret, spire and projecting porch. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Medium Colour photograph

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