Skerries Heritage Centre

Aim

The SDG are delighted to have purchased the Skerries Kirk. we are seeking funds to cover costs and maintain the building for the future

Dear friends, families and members of the community.

The Skerries Development Group are delighted to have been able to purchase the Skerries Kirk.   This was deemed necessary because the Church of Scotland was selling off Shetland Kirks - the Skerries people wanted to be able to keep our Kirk as a focal point of our community.

The Skerries Kirk was built in 1896 with funding raised be the people of Skerries along with the help of the Whalsay Minister.  The Skerries residents gave what they could afford, but more funding was needed, so an appeal was sent out asking for donations for the remainder of the required funding.  Within a few months the target funding of £300 needed to build the new Kirk was reached, with donations coming in from all over the country to help the Skerries community reach their goal.

The official opening took place on 30th August 1896, and has always been at the heart of the community.   It was also the school for all the Skerries bairns from 1896 until 1965 - there was usually only one day in the week that Skerries bairns were not in the building, either for education or religious services.

By the time the school was opened in 1965 the Kirk was in need of refurbishment.  Skerries people held fundraising events to raise money to buy the materials needed.   All the refurbishing work was done by the local people.  The Kirk was rededicated on the 31st of March 1967.   On 7th April 1967, it was stated in the Shetland Times that ‘to those who knew the old building, the renovation has been nothing short of amazing.  The hours of spare time that have been given by the people of Skerries are an indication of their love for their church’.

The Kirk is still dear to the hearts of the Skerries people, as well as to the wider Skerries community.  Weddings, Christenings and Funerals were held in the building, as well as concerts and film shows.  When the Kirk was built the population of Skerries was 167, but although the population has dwindled over the years to 35, the community, as well as the extended families, still hold the Kirk dear to their hearts.  

The Skerries Development Group need help with funding to keep the building in good order, and hope to turn it into a Kirk and Heritage Centre combined.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will help us to keep our Kirk alive for the community, visitors, extended families, as well as for future generations.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 9th July 2026 at 1:44pm