Undiscovered Scotland

 

Bressay's present church dates back to 1814, though it replaced an earlier church on the same site built in 1722. It lies at Mail, close to the pier used by the small ferry to Lerwick until the introduction of car ferries in 1975.

Externally, the church is a fairly plain grey-harled box, with a bellcote at the top of the west gable. The bell in residence dates back to 1858. It seems likely that the material it was cast from, in London's Whitechapel, came in part from an earlier Bressay bell dating back to 1723.

The plain exterior of Bressay Church does little to prepare you for the extremely attractive interior. What you find is a typical Presbyterian church. The focal point is the pulpit mid way along the south wall. Around the three other sides of the church two layers of pews, at ground level and in the gallery, are positioned to ensure that the preacher has everyone's undivided attention.

In some churches this can produce a very austere feel. Here the effect is much warmer and more pleasant. This owes much to a major rework of the interior in 1895. The two stained glass windows, one either side of the pulpit were installed at this point. They commemorate John Ross, who was a local schoolmaster from 1843 to 1878, and Sir Robert Hamilton, 1836-1895.