Luss Parish Church
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Luss Parish Church is a Church of Scotland church in Luss, Argyll and Bute dedicated to Saint Kessog. The current minister is the Reverend Dane Sherrard, who joined in December 1998. Sherrard was previously minister in Buckhaven, Fife between 1977 and 1994, establishing in 1983 the Buckhaven Parish Church Agency, a government-backed jobs and training programme that went into liquidation in 1991.[1] Sherrard then went to Cadder Parish Church in Bishopbriggs.
The present church building was constructed in 1875, and subject to major restoration works in 2001. The church site has had 1500 years of continuous Christian presence, being originally founded by Saint Kessog, and has 15 listed ancient monuments in its graveyard.
The church has in recent times embraced the internet, broadcasting its services online, and inviting, in exception to usual Church practice, outsiders to take advantage of the picturesque location on the banks of Loch Lomond for weddings, of which 153 were held in 2009. Notable weddings to have been held at the church include that of Kirsty Hume to Donovan Leitch, Jr., Noel Edmonds to Helen Soby [2] and Sarah Heaney to Ed Adams.
The church is a significant site for religious tourism, with over 2,000 people visiting the church on busy summer days, contributing £5 million per annum to the local economy.[3] It is estimated to receive 750,000 visitors a year, in a parish with a population of only 400.[4]
The church celebrated 1500 years of worship in 2010 by opening a new visitors centre for Luss after the National Parks Authority sold its building to Purdies, a Scottish natural soap producer.[5]
References
- ^ From the archive (1994-02-22). "Minister in failed jobs project to get new post". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ KATRINA TWEEDIE (2003-07-31). "LORD OF THE AISLES; As Emma Thompson is added to the list, we find out why celebs choose to marry in Scotland. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ "Luss church's £5m boost for local economy / Helensburgh Advertiser / News / Roundup". Helensburghadvertiser.co.uk. 2010-09-09. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ "allmediascotland". allmediascotland. 2010-08-30. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ "Church answers prayer after village tourist information centre is sold - News - Scotsman.com". News.scotsman.com. 2010-08-29. Retrieved 2012-04-03.