South Uist, Eriskay, St Michael's Roman Catholic Church
Church (20th Century)
Site Name South Uist, Eriskay, St Michael's Roman Catholic Church
Classification Church (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Roman Catholic Church Of Saint Michael
Canmore ID 172006
Site Number NF71SE 29
NGR NF 78656 12055
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/172006
- Council Western Isles
- Parish South Uist
- Former Region Western Isles Islands Area
- Former District Western Isles
- Former County Inverness-shire
St. Michael's of the Sea (RC), 1899-1903 Sturdy landmark with a prow-like apse and gothic windows, perched above the harbour on Cnoc nan Sgrath. Replacing a humble structure of 1852, it was constructed by the islanders themselves under the guidance of the first incumbent, Fr. Allan Macdonald. They used local stone, timber salvaged from wrecks and a cement mortar of burnt shells and sand; funds for additional materials were raised locally from the proceeds of fishing, and from abroad. Beyond a tripartite gothic screen, the altar rests on the bow of a lifeboat washed overboard from the aircraft carrier Hermes. A bell from the German Baltic cruiser Derfflinger is mounted closeby. Presbytery, 1891, much altered.
Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
