Old St Peter's Church, Thurso, United Kingdom

Old St Peter's Church is a ruined parish church in Thurso. It dates to at least 1125, and at one time was the principal church for the county, administered by the Bishops of Caithness.

Early in the 16th century, the vicarage of Thorso was held by Sir John Mathesoun chancellor of Caithness, on whose demission or otherwise Queen Mary in 1547 presented Master John Craig to the benefice. Master Walter Innes, who appears in record in 1554, was vicar of Thurso in 1560, and continued to hold the vicarage between 1561 and 1566. About 1567, John Rag was minister, and in 1574, Alexander Urquhart was minister of Olrik and Thurso, and John Davidsoun was reader at Thurso. In 1641, Alexander Monro, minister at Durnoch had from King Charles I, a grant of 800 marks Scots or of eight chalders victual in augmentation of his stipend from the rents of the bishopric in the parish of Thurso and elsewhere.

Old St Peter's, still standing, was disused since 1832 when a replacement church was built for the parish. That church, St Andrew's and St Peter's, is of Gothic style and was built to a design by William Burn.

References:

Wikipedia

Religious sites in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Andy Stevens (54 days ago)
An old quit ruin worth seeing if your passing but there's not alot there

Paula Carroll (2 months ago)
Really interesting! We found a headstone with a skull and crossbones, Ourselves and the kids had fun imagining it was a pirate aaaaargh me harty. ?

Steve Hallam (2 months ago)
It has seen better days. Historically interesting.

Helen Inglis (3 months ago)
Near town centre, some of the old headstones almost like new

Roger Greenhalgh (4 months ago)
Steeped in history, such a wonderful thought provoking place. Tread carefully.

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