As you can see, both the church and the setting are picturesque and attractive, and I suppose the name is somewhat enticing too. Since, according to the plaque above, the church has been pretty well unused since 1864, someone or many someones deserve an awful lot of credit for maintaining the place so well.
We were surprised at how tiny and plain the sanctuary was, but considering its Presbyterian (Church of Scotland) roots, I guess we shouldn't have been. The building is unheated in winter, so it's very hard to keep paint on the walls. That's Cuppa sitting in the pew trying to get a feel for the place and probably being exceedingly glad that she can visit it briefly in this day and age rather than have to attend dour services a century and a half ago. I tend to experience a bleak sadness just thinking about it.
The adjoining cemetery is quite large and has, obviously, served the area more effectively than the church itself. This photo certainly doesn't capture all of it, but I think you can see the markers receding into the distance.
Tidbits
- The Auld Kirk is an example of Gothic Revival architecture.
- The church originally served an area called Leckies Corners, which is long gone and began its decline after woolen mills came to nearby Almonte circa 1860.
- The land for the church and cemetery were purchased for the grand sum of 3 pounds, 2 shillings and sixpence in 1833.
- After the church was closed in the early1860's, it fell into disrepair but was partially restored after World War I by community members who wished to honour their pioneer ancestors.
- The building material is something called rubblestone and was brought from a farm several concessions over.
- These days, there is generally one service per year to honour the memory of those buried in the cemetery.
