Order Premonstratensian Important associated figures Finlay McFaed Phone +44 7448 858818 Founder Fearchar, Earl of Ross Mother house Whithorn Priory | Controlled churches Kilchrist, Tarbat Address Tain IV20 1TL, UK Diocese Diocese of Ross Disestablished 1609 | |
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Similar Tarbat Discovery Centre, Fearn railway station, Cromarty Courthouse, Tain & District Museum, Whithorn Priory | ||
Poodle parade at fearn abbey needleworks
Fearn Abbey – known as "The Lamp of the North" – has its origins in one of Scotland's oldest pre-Reformation church buildings. Part of the Church of Scotland and located to the southeast of Tain, Ross-shire, it continues as an active parish church (united with Nigg and linked with Tarbat).
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History
The original Fearn Abbey was established in either 1221 or 1227 by Premonstratensian canons from Whithorn Priory. Founded at "Old Fearn" near Edderton, it was moved by 1238 to "New Fearn" further east, perhaps to take advantage of better agricultural lands. The Abbey was rebuilt between 1338 and 1372 on the orders of William III, Earl of Ross. Following the Reformation the Abbey remained in use as a parish church, but disaster struck in 1742 when the flagstone roof collapsed during a service killing many members of the congregation. A new church was then built adjacent to the old ruined church, but it itself had fallen into a ruinous state by the early 1770s. Accordingly, part of the original ruined Abbey was rebuilt in 1772 and again became the parish church as part of the Established Church of Scotland.
The current building thus substantially dates from 1772, but incorporating parts of the medieval structure. It was restored by Ian G. Lindsay & Partners in 1971. Further restoration was carried out in 2002-3 under the auspices of Historic Scotland. The current minister (since August 2015) is Rev Dr Robert Pickles
The congregation of Fearn Abbey meet at 11.30 each Sunday morning for worship and at other times for prayer and bible study. They take part in outreach work in the local area and have active links to the Church of Scotland's World Mission projects in Ekwendeni, Malawi and Tabeetha School, Israel.