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HOLY TRINITY, ELGIN
HOLY TRINITY, ELGIN
5 Trinity Pl, Elgin IV30 1UL
ST MARGARET'S, LOSSIEMOUTH
ST MARGARET'S, LOSSIEMOUTH
113 Tullochs Ln, Lossiemouth IV31 6NL
BURGHEAD MISSION
BURGHEAD MISSION
Community Hall, Grant Street, Burghead, IV36 2RB
Holy Trinity, Elgin is a welcoming Scottish Episcopal church where worship and community sit at the heart of daily life. Rooted in the Eucharist, we offer a warm, inclusive space for people of all backgrounds and none.
St Margaret’s Church in Lossiemouth is a welcoming congregation rooted in worship, community and service, offering regular Eucharist services and pastoral care within the Diocese of Moray.
Burghead Mission, in Burghead is a Scottish Episcopal Church congregation meeting in Burghead Community Hall on Grant Street. The service is one of Holy Communion and is at 3:00 pm monthly, usually led by The Revd. Canon Tembu Rongong.
FIND OUT MORE: HOLY TRINITY
FIND OUT MORE: HOLY TRINITY
Holy Trinity Church, Elgin was consecrated in 1826; it was originally a simple Greek cross with the altar under the window in the North Transept. As the congregation grew the church was extended, firstly to the East with the building of the choir and Apse and then to the West with an extension to the nave. If you look closely outside you can see where the new stonework was joined to the old building.
There is a memorial brass to Hugh Buchan, who was Rector when the church was built; this is under the West window. Externally the main feature is the Gothic entrance gable and porch, built to finish the view down North Street, sadly ruined by the building of Alexandra Road, please note also the wonderful gargoyles and carvings that adorn the East end of the church. Internally the church is fairly sparse, leading our eye to the decorated and central Altar, this is deliberate as the main service in this church is focused upon that Altar.
Half way along the north wall of the nave there is space where out of service times one can meditate and pray. A small table supports meditation resources and prayers, some in Polish, and also a box to leave requests for prayers. There is a rack for votive candles and above it is a small framed fragment of an altar piece taken from a French church destroyed in the First World War; it is marked by both British and German bullets.
The North Transept is dedicated to St Columba, and has an informal chapel and prayer corner. The church organ was built by Wadsworth of Salford.
The small Lady Chapel in the South Transept was created in memory of Dean Robertson a former rector and the wall plaques are memorials to local families.
The sanctuary is beautifully light and contains some fine woodwork and a tiled pavement, this is the heart of the church and the focus for Sunday Worship, a special place for the congregation.
The Stained glass windows are particularly fine with the sanctuary windows depicting the life of Christ, the North Transept the resurrection and the West Window the good shepherd.
The church also has in it’s possession an historic chalice given to the congregation by Simon Gray it’s inscription reading “To the afflicted church at Keams (Duffus) S. Gray being minister 1765”.
The congregation of Holy Trinity can trace its continuous history from the reformation in Scotland, through the troubled times of the covenant and the arrival of William of Orange, the divisions of the Jacobite period until the present day.
In 1621 Rev John Gordon was deposed for refusing to sign the covenant and later Rev Alexander Todd was forced to resign as minister of St Giles when Presbyterianism was finally established in Elgin, the Episcopal congregation continued to worship in the walled up Sanctuary of Old St Giles until after the 1715 rising when we were evicted, finding temporary homes in the old Greyfriars church, (Now a Convent) and a small chapel near Thunderton lane, this is the building closed down by the Duke of Cumberland on his way to Culloden. Following the tragedy of Culloden the Episcopal church suffered many years of persecution and we became but a remnant of our former selves, yet the church survived thanks to the dedication of loyal members and when we were able to worship freely again we bought the land in North Street and began to build our present church. We are often called the English church but this is an error, we are proud of our Scottish heritage, and thankful to all those who through the centuries have kept the faith and built up our church.
FIND OUT MORE: ST MARGARET'S
FIND OUT MORE: ST MARGARET'S
This is an abbreviated history taken from the original Minute and Register Books and as told by long standing members of the church.
Services were first held in St Margaret's in August 1911 - the Benediction being on 20 August 1911 and the consecration much later on 28 July 1917, by the Bishop of Moray.
The first baptism was on 28 July 1912 (the son of a member of the local coastguard). The first marriage was on 6 September 1918.
Prior to the building of the church, services were held during August and September in a room over the GPO and later in the 'Trainie' house at Skerry Cliff. When the congregation outgrew these premises, it was decided to build a church, so that summer visitors (from whose money the funds came) should be provided with 'Anglican' services in Lossiemouth.
To quote from the memory of Mrs Scouler-Buchanan - "The local 'Piscies' consisted of about four families, usually including the coastguards. In those days (pre 1914) there were no buses and very few cars, so the only times we were able to attend Holy Trinity Church in Elgin were on Good Friday and Christmas Day when we were able to go by train (having a day off work). At other times, apart from the summer services, we attended the 'Established Church' (presumably the Church of Scotland locally).
When Dean Robertson succeeded Dean Hay-Dinwoody, monthly services of Holy Communion were instituted.
During World War II, St Margaret's was taken over by the Royal Navy as their Anglican Church.
The basic structure of the church has remained unaltered (the architect was Mr G Pratt of Elgin). However the interior furnishings have been considerably improved over the years.
Lady William Gordon-Cumming (Florence Garners), an American heiress, married Sir William in 1890. She was a devout Episcopalian and had a resident priest. She restored the Michael Kirk at Gordonstoun and built a chapel at Altyre House, and it was from this chapel that the following items were received for use in St Margaret's:- Pulpit, Lectern, Font, Altar Rail, Altar Table, Credence Table, 12 pews and wooden chairs, Brass Cross, Harmonium, Hymn Books, Hymn Board and two seats for the clergy.
In 1958 when the coast road was opened, the congregation in Hopeman, who had held monthly services in the Station Hotel for a number of years, decided to join with St Margaret's. It was also in 1958 that electric lighting and heating was installed in the church.
In 1960 the markers and gates were given by Mrs Bolton and Mrs Taylor respectively and in 1961 the Communion Vessels, in an inscribed wooded cabinet, were given by Dean Hay-Dinwoodie to be shared by Elgin and Lossiemouth churches.
The inscribed Chalice was given by Miss Rose Benton in memory of Mary Benton and Mrs Bolton in 1964. The hassocks were recovered in 1965 by Mrs Lyon-Dean and ladies of the congregation.
The present pulpit was made at Gordonstoun by Charles and Alistair Lyon-Dean. However this is currently stored to allow more flexible use of the church space.
The two stained glass windows were made at Pluscarden Abbey and given by Mrs Scouler-Buchanan and family in 1968.
The badge of the Queen's Nurses on St Margaret's Window, was incorporated in memory of the work of Mr and Mrs Hair for the promotion of the District Nursing Association. The Red Cross on the St Luke Window was incorporated to commerorate the meeting of Miss Hair and Dr Scouler-Buchanan during their Red Cross work in France.
The small triangular section at the top, between the two windows, depicts the Bishop of Moray's Coat of Arms.
Prior to the building of St Margaret's in 1911, Anglican services were conducted from time to time in Lossiemouth by Rectors of Holy Trinity, Elgin. Records show that this started with Rev Ferguson in 1853. The Right Reverend Mark Strange was Rector until he was installed as Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness. A list of all those clergy who served inbetween those dates is held in the church.
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Weekly service sheets and news, including readings, collects, sermons and intercessions.
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A calendar of events, including regular church services at all churches.
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Information on baptisms, weddings and funerals at Holy Trinity and St Margaret's.
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Contact members of the clergy and vestry by email, telephone or post, as well as church locations.
What is the difference between Holy Trinity Elgin and St Margaret’s Lossiemouth?
What is the difference between Holy Trinity Elgin and St Margaret’s Lossiemouth?
Both churches are part of the same Scottish Episcopal congregation, serving Elgin, Lossiemouth and the wider Moray area, with regular worship in each location.
Is Holy Trinity Elgin an Anglican church?
Is Holy Trinity Elgin an Anglican church?
Yes. The Scottish Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Are your church buildings open during the week?
Are your church buildings open during the week?
Opening times vary. Please check the website or contact us if you would like to visit for prayer or quiet reflection.
Who leads the churches?
Who leads the churches?
Holy Trinity Elgin and St Margaret’s Lossiemouth are led by The Revd. Canon Tembu Rongong, Rector, supported by Assistant Priest, The Rev Jenny Sclater, retired clergy and lay volunteers.
Where can I find details of church services in Elgin and Lossiemouth?
Where can I find details of church services in Elgin and Lossiemouth?
You can find information about all of our upcoming services on the homepage, as well as on the what's on page and in our pew leaflets. And don't forget that as well as Elgin and Lossie services, there is a monthly communion in Burghead as well.
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