About us
Ardchattan Parish is in North Argyll, south of Creagan Bridge and north of Connel Bridge, and is made up of the villages of Barcaldine, Benderloch, North Connel and Bonawe along with the surrounding areas.
Worship is held in St Modan’s Church in Benderloch on most Sundays of the year, the exceptions being when we join with our linked parish of Connel and Dunbeg to worship in one of their buildings.
We are a parish in the Presbytery of Cleir Eilean I (Presbytery of the Island of Iona), part of the Church of Scotland, which is Reformed and Presbyterian, similar to the United Reformed Church in England and the Lutheran Church in Europe.
Since 2019 we have been in a linked charge with Connel Parish and also the Island of Coll, sharing one minister but each congregation still retaining its own governing body, the Kirk Session.
The Church in the Community
Regular worship is held in St Modan’s, with Holy Communion being celebrated 4 times a year on the 4th Sundays of February, May, September and November. Following worship it is our custom to gather in the hall for tea, coffee and fellowship and regular worshippers and visitors are all warmly welcomed to join us. The church is open daily from 10am-4pm for private prayer or contemplation or just to have a look around. We ask visitors to write in our visitors’ book and welcome any comments they may have.
Our minister participates in a rota of clergy who conduct worship in the local care home, Etive House. There is no formal arrangement with local schools, but our minister is happy to go in to schools when invited.
Weddings and baptisms are welcomed by arrangement with the minister, and funerals arranged when necessary.
Currently there is no specific provision for children during morning services but this year(2025) we embarked on a Messy Church project. This is held monthly on Saturday morning, is themed to a Bible story and involves crafts, singing, games and food. Children attend with their parents or carers and it is a joyful and noisy form of worship.
Groups associated directly with the church include a Badminton Club for school-age children, an Arts and Crafts group and a Friendship Club (Club nan Caraidean). These are all attended by church attendees and non-attendees alike and all are welcome. Over the winter months there is a weekly “Books, Broth and Blether” session in the Church Hall, when folk can enjoy a soup lunch, a chat and can also borrow books supplied by “Bookends Benderloch”. The church also hosts a small food bank, St Modan’s Larder, which is accessible at any time.
Our church hall, The Campbell Memorial Hall, is also used by community groups. These include Rhythmic Rascals, local quilters and Pilates classes. The hall is available to rent for private functions.
Information regarding service times and other activities are on the Calendar.
The congregation publishes a Printout every two months and the most recent of these can be found under “Library”.
Our Kirk Session
Following the adoption of a Unitary authority, our Kirk Session comprises ordained elders and members co-opted to assist in specific areas. The Kirk Session meets with our Minister five times a year with extra meetings as required.
The Session Clerk is Allison Davies and she can be contacted by email at allison.m.davies@btinternet.com or by telephone on 07771996352.
Our Church Buildings
St Modan’s Church was originally built as a mission church to serve the growing village of Benderloch, following the arrival of the railway. It was opened in 1905 and can seat around 120 people. The Parish Church at the time was Ardchattan Church on the northern shore of Loch Etive. Ardchattan Church closed for worship in 2019 and has subsequently been sold.
There is more specific information regarding the church building in the leaflet dedicated to this purpose.
The Campbell Memorial Hall was built in the 1970s to replace the building of the same name which is now a dwelling house.
Safeguarding
The Church of Scotland has clearly defined policies concerning the protection of children and vulnerable adults. The Safeguarding Coordinator for the parish is Allison Davies. She can be contacted by email at allison.m.davies@btinternet.com or telephone on 07771996352.