SAINT COLUMBA,
GRULINE, ISLE OF MULL
SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
DIOCESE OF ARGYLL &
THE ISLES
In 1862, the Reverend Mr
Rawlinson of Moidart came to
Mull to consider the possibility
of a monthly visit to Mull to take Episcopalian services, but it was not until
1864 or 1865 that the first service was held. This was in the Industrial
Female School at Salen and was conducted by the Reverend Hugh McColl,
the incumbent of Strontian and Kinlochmoidart. Thereafter services were
held in Glenforsa House, Kilfinichen (where Roman Catholics and
Presbyterians also attended), Glengorm, Drumlang, Killiechronan,
Killiemore, but mostly at Glenforsa House (now called Gruline House).
The building of St Columba's at Gruline was begun in June 1873, the cost
being divided between Captain Parr of Killiechronan and Colonel Greenhill-
Gardyne of Glenforsa House. The church was completed in December 1873
and the first service held there in June 1874, with 26 people present for the
English service in the morning and 47 for the Gaelic service in the evening.
The church and the adjacent burial ground were consecrated on Sunday 4th
July 1875 by Bishop George Richard Mackarness (1823 - 1883). It was the
first church to be consecrated in Mull for some centuries. There are
memorial plaques to these two benefactors on the walls of the nave.
In 1893 the Gruline Estate was sold to William and Mary Melles. Much of the
woodwork in the church was carved by Mary Melles, including the pulpit and
reredos. Daphne Margaret Gough, Mary Melles's grand-daughter was the
only person, it is believed, to have been baptised, confirmed, married and
have her ashes buried at Saint Columba's.
The church has several attractive stained glass windows, one of which is by
Charles Kempe, of Charity and two children. It was installed in 1912 and it is
said to be a fine example of his work. Several of the other stained glass
windows are dedicated to, or have links with, members of the Melles family.
Several of the memorial plaques also have links with this family.
Previously in the care of an itinerant priest based at Appin on the mainland,
Saint Columba's then became part of the West Highland Region, which
comprised seven mainland charges (parishes) together with the islands of
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