Skye, Kensaleyre, Kensaleyre Church

Kensaleyre (Ceann Sàil Aoighre)

Snizort Parish Church, possibly designed by Alexander Laing, though overseen by James Gillespie Graham, 1800-01 Gillespie Graham's first large commission for Lord Macdonald remains a stark landmark in the bald landscape. Originally a rectangular box, it was extended with a piend-roofed snout in 1839, a chubby minister's room protruding from the opposite side. Generous gothic glazing and a later bellcote (1872) provide the only external adornment. Rescued from threat of demolition by Robert Hurd & Partners, the lofty galleried interior with original pulpit was restored (Civic Trust Commendation,1982). A mile or so north is the former manse (now Kensaleyre House), Gillespie Graham, 1802-3.

Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

NG45SW 49 42134 51736

NMRS REFERENCE:

Snizort Parish Church - Architect, J Gillespie Graham, 1800-1801.

EXTERNAL REFERENCE:

SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE.

Elevation and plan of ground floor and Galleries of Snizort Church.

Architect: James Gillespie.

1799. GD 221/15/2.

Estimate and measurement for Snizort Church.

The estimate amounts to #546.0.8.

Unsigned.

N.D. (1800). GD 221/15/1.

Expense of building the Church of Snizort.

Report of the expense laid out by the Rt Hom Alexander.

Lord Macdonald on building, erecting and erected by him on the Island of Skye under the direction of James Gillespie from 4th March to the 11th October as estimated from the Day Book.

Includes the sum of #418.11.11 1/2 spent on the Church of Snizort.

1800. GD 221/73/1.

Dispute between Lord Macdonald and the Heritors.

Letter from John Campbell, Chamberlain of Skye to John Campbell W.S.

Mr MacLeod of Raasay had complained that he did not see the plan and estimate for the Church and Manse of Snizort.

John Campbell, however believed that Raasay and the other Heritors had plenty of opportunity.

1803. GD 221/53/7.

Dispute concerning approval of plans of Snizort Church and division of the cost among the Heritors.

Letter from John MacLeod of Raasay to John Campbell W.S.

He considers Lord Macdonald's Comissioners have acted unwarrantable and contrary to the common method of carrying on such buildings.

1803. GD221/68/18.

Expense of building Snizort Church 1800-1801.

It amounts to #1,453.5.9 3/4.

Account of expenditure by Lord Macdonld on Public Buildings 1800-1814.

Rendered by James Gillespie, architect.

1815. GD 221/28/2.

Account of expense of Building Snizort Church.

Begun 1800. Finished 1801.

It amounts to #1,453.5.9.

Signed by James Gillespie, architect.

1819. GD 221/15/1.

Rejection of a plan for Snizort Church.

It had been offered by Mr Stevenson, (probably James Stevenson working in 1811 at Armadale Castle) but rejected as too extravagant by Lord Macdonld's Commissioners (1799).

Replies by the Heritors to Lord Macdonald.

1819. GD 221/15/2.

Dispute between Lord Macdonald and the Geritors of Snizort who have refused to pay their proportion of the cost of building the Church and Manse. Minute of Draft Agreement 1800. Submission 1809. Printed Summons and defence 1818.

Memorial 1818. Arbiters' submission 1820-1821.

1799-1821. GD 221/15/1 and GD 221/15/2.

Measurement and inspection of Snizort Church by William Smith, architect, Portree and Murdo Bethune, architect Tott as arbiters in the dispute between Lord Macdonald and the Heritors who have refused to pay their proportion of the cost. The arbiters are of the opinion that the Church might have been built for #877.12.10.

1821. GD 221/15/2.

Report on the Church of Snizort.

Report on Lord Macdonald's estate in Skye by Dr Macleod and another.

The writer comments that the church was built in 1800 but no pavement was laid in the passages and the Galleries were unlined.

In 1821 the church was repaired at a cost of #106.13.0.

1829. GD 221/91.

Repair of the church and manse offices.

Receipt for #93.19. which is Lord Macdonald's proportion of the cost.

1845. GD 221/26.

Expense of building church and manse.

Church - 1800 and 1801- #1455.7.9 3/4.

Manse and kitchen 1801- #1060.8.10.Account of parochial buildings in Skye.

1813. GD 221/68/25.

Repair of the church and manse 1807-1812.

Expenditure of #26.8.8 noted.

Account of expenditure by Lord Macdonald on public buildings 1800-1814.

Rendered by James Gillespie.

1815. GD 221/28/2.

Formal certificate of the expense of building the church and manse of Snizort by James Gillespie.

Church - #1,453.5.9 3/4.

Manse - #1,059.14.8 1/4.

1817. GD 221/68/23.

Appointment of James Gillespie as architect. Detailed history of Mr Gillespie's appointment and the consequent building of the church and manse of Snizort.

Memorial for Lord Macdonald.

1818. GD 221/15/1.

Statement of works begun and not yet finished.

Includes the manse of Snizort.

The amount spent is #239.12.6 1/2 and it is estimated that a further #150 will be required.

A memorandum from James Gillespie repeats this information and provides his assessment of the number of men and amount of material required next season.

1802. GD 221/73/5 and GD 221/73/10.

Satement of works proceeded in 1800 and finished in 1801 includes the church of Snizort.

The cost is noted as #1016.4.10.

1802. GD 221/73/5.

Repair of ecclesiastical buildings of Snizort.

Payment of Lord Macdonald's proportion of the the cost.

It amounts to #94.10.5.

Cash Book.

1859. GD 221/134/3 page 12.