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We are a congregation of the Free Church of Scotland. We are located on the West Side of the Island of Lewis serving the villages of Shawbost, Bragar and Arnol. The congregation is situated in a rural crofting community and at the epicentre of the modern-day Harris Tweed industry with the local Harris Tweed mill and the Harris Tweed Hebrides Offices in the village of Shawbost.
The community is served by a Primary School and two community centres, The Old School Centre at Shawbost and the Grinneabhat Centre at Bragar. Horshader Community Development (HCD), a community-owned charitable trust, is also located in the community and provides financial and other support to organisations and projects in the area. We are indebted to HCD for their financial support in the installation of audio-visual equipment in the Church and the associated software and hardware.
The congregation is established by constitution and registered as a Charity with the Scottish Charity Regulator. Our Charity registration number is – SC038184.
We have a Kirk Session made up Elders, moderated by Rev. Calum MacDonald (Interim Moderator), to lead the church towards its vision.
Our previous Minister, Rev Callum Macleod, retired at the end of October 2023 and the congregation is currently vacant. Typically, the Minister serves the Church and the Community in a number of different ways including engagement with community groups and serving as School Chaplain to the Shawbost primary school. The Elders have responsibility for spiritual oversight and pastoral care, and they are each allocated specific areas of the community.
We also have a Deacons Court, made up of Elders and Deacons, and which is currently chaired by one of the Elders on a Pro Tem basis. The Deacons are responsible for fulfilling the congregation’s social responsibility and for the financial and practical aspects of the congregation’s income and property. Members of the Deacons Court also serve as Charity Trustees for the congregation.
District
Elder
Contact
Deacon
Contact
Bragar 01
Mr Kenneth Smith
710305
Mr Donald MacPhail
710328
Bragar 02
Mr Morris Macleod
710455
Mr Donald MacPhail
710328
Bragar 03
Mr Donald Morrison
710476
Mr Gordon Williamson
710418
Shawbost 01
Mr Murdo Macdonald
710322
Mr Alex Morrison
710280
Shawbost 02
Mr Neil Macleod
710477
Shawbost 03
Mr Iain H. Mackay
710532
Mr Neil Macleod
710477
Shawbost 04
Mr Iain Macdonald
710211
Mr Matthew Hebditch
710294
Shawbost 05
Mr Iain Macdonald
710211
Mr Norman MacPhail
710296
The areas covered by each district listed above are defined in a separate document which can be found here
Our Elder, Mr Morris Macleod is the Kirk Session Clerk during the period of vacancy. All enquiries regarding the ministry of the congregation should be directed to him at: Telephone – 01851 710455; Email – bragar@live.co.uk
Mr Donald MacPhail is Clerk to the Deacons Court. All enquiries regarding practical matters and property matters should be directed to him at: Telephone – 01851 710328; Email – dan.macphail@icloud.com
Mr Neil Macleod is the Congregational Treasurer. All enquiries of a financial nature, including donations and contributions should be directed to him at: Telephone – 01851 710477; Email – neilmoley@outlook.com
The congregation reflects the demographic of the community. We have people of all ages attending our services and playing an active role in the life of the congregation. We have young families, some of which have children who attend the crèche, the Sunday School or the Youth Fellowship; we have professionals and people working across the wide variety of employment and occupations in the community and beyond; we have retired people who form a major part of the congregation and who have had long-term commitment to the congregation and to the Gospel.
Shawbost Free Church
Shawbost
Isle of Lewis
HS2 9BQ
Sundays – 12.00noon & 6.00pm
Wednesdays – 7.00pm
Shawbost Free Church of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland, No. SC038184.