SAINT ANDREW THE APOSTLE, FORTROSE
The Episcopalian congregation in Fortrose has a continuous history reaching back to the years following the Revolution of 1688, when the Scottish Episcopal Church entered a long period of political and religious difficulty. By the end of the seventeenth century Episcopalians were worshipping in a meeting house in the Chanonry, traditionally believed to have stood close to the site of the present Church Hall. Despite the restrictions and uncertainties of the eighteenth century, the congregation endured.
In 1790 a feu was granted for land on the Braehead at Fortrose, providing the site on which the present church was eventually built. St Andrew’s first opened in 1827, but it was a much simpler building than the church we know today, without the present chancel, vestry or baptistery. The church was visited in the nineteenth century by the Revd John Mason Neale, priest, hymn-writer, scholar and one of the leading figures in the revival of Anglican worship and church architecture. Neale admired St Andrew’s, while also noting the limitations of its eastern end, reflecting the growing nineteenth-century concern for a more clearly defined and dignified chancel.
Between 1888 and 1918 St Andrew’s was substantially enlarged and enriched under the direction of the Inverness architect Alexander Ross. During this period the chancel, vestry and baptistery were added, together with other improvements to the fabric and furnishings, transforming the earlier church into something much closer to its present form. The work was closely associated with the long incumbency of Canon Spence Ross and reflected the growing confidence of the congregation at a time when St Andrew’s was raised to the status of an Incumbency. In many respects, the alterations realised the kind of liturgical and architectural development that Neale and the Ecclesiologists had advocated a generation earlier.
THE HIGH ALTAR
Consecrated in 1909, is one of the most distinctive features of the church. Its carved wooden reredos centres on a relief of the Last Supper, flanked by figures of St Paul and St Moluag, the sixth-century missionary traditionally associated with bringing the Gospel to Rosemarkie. Together, the figures place the Eucharist within the wider story of apostolic faith and the early Christian mission of the Highlands.
Above the high altar, the rose window depicts Christ enthroned in glory and surrounded by six angels. To the left is a window representing the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love; above them appears the victorious Lamb, encircled by lilies, symbols of purity, and Scottish thistles. The window to the right shows the Roman centurion who confessed his unworthiness to receive Christ beneath his roof, words still echoed in the Church’s Eucharistic devotion. Above this scene is the Burning Bush, which burned without being consumed. Here it becomes a fitting Eucharistic image: Christ gives himself continually to his people in his Body and Blood, yet the divine gift is never exhausted.
In keeping with current liturgical practice, the freestanding altar before the rood screen is used for the principal Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. This altar came from St Margaret’s Convent, East Grinstead, and serves as the main altar for the gathered congregation. The historic high altar at the east end remains fully in use, particularly for smaller weekday celebrations and other more intimate celebrations of the Eucharist.
THE BAPTISTRY
Projecting from the west wall of the church is the small Baptistery, centred on a fine octagonal stone font. Its stained glass is closely connected with the themes of Baptism and new life in Christ. One window includes the descending Dove of the Holy Spirit, angels and stylised dolphins, together with a small central panel of St Peter and St Boniface which is traditionally said to have come from Fortrose Cathedral, dedicated to those saints. The adjoining windows depict the Baptism of Our Lord and his meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well, bringing together the imagery of water, the Holy Spirit and new life.
SERVICES @ ST ANDREW'S
SUNDAY
11.30am HOLY EUCHARIST
6.00pm EVENSONG &
BENEDICTION
on the 1st Sunday of the Month
WEDNESDAY
6.00pm Evening Prayer
7.00pm HOLY EUCHARIST
THURSDAY
9.15am Morning Prayer
10.30am HOLY EUCHARIST
Followed by Coffee, to
which everyone is welcome
5.00pm Silent Prayer
SATURDAY
9.00am Morning Prayer
10.00am HOLY EUCHARIST
The Church is open most days for prayer and contemplation