SALU History

The names of the parishes in our triple-linked charge point to a long Christian heritage in these parts. They also reflect the major changes in ecclesiastical government over that period – Celtic, Roman Catholic and National Church.

The story of St Andrews-Lhanbryd and Urquhart Church is one of deep roots and enduring faith, spanning more than eight centuries in the heart of Moray. This united parish weaves together the legacies of three distinct communities – Lhanbryde, Urquhart, and St Andrews – each with its own sacred heritage.

Lhanbryd, first mentioned in 1225, derives its name from the Gaelic Lann Brìghde, meaning ‘Church of St Bridget’. It is believed to have been founded by early Irish missionaries, such as Saint Moluag or Saint Maelrubha. Situated near a vital route along the Moray Firth, the church was a spiritual beacon for travellers and settlers alike. The original building, dedicated to St Bride – patron of scholars and artisans – stood for centuries before its decline led to demolition in 1796.

St Andrews Church (named after Scotland’s Patron Saint), likely founded in the 14th or 15th century, served as a mensal parish, whose revenues were to exclusively support the Bishop of Moray. Despite its ecclesiastical significance, the building faced recurrent neglect. A dramatic incident in 1727 – when a misfired shot from a boy hunting doves ignited its thatched roof – led to its destruction by fire. Though the church was rebuilt, the union with Lhanbryd in 1782 initially sparked controversy among parishioners.

The parish of St Andrew’s-Lhanbryd was established in 1783, and the present church building was built circa 1790 to serve the newly formed parish. The vestry was added in 1930, the small hall in 1965, and to celebrate the Bicentenary in 1984, a large hall was added. The church is positioned midway between two earlier places of worship, St Bride’s Church in the village of Lhanbryde, which had fallen into disrepair, and Kirkhill Church in the Parish of St Andrew’s, which had been destroyed by fire. The church is situated on the B9103 road, at postcode IV30 8LA.

Urquhart’s spiritual legacy dates back even further. The church, dedicated to St Margaret (wife of Scotland’s King Malcolm III), was in existence prior to 1237 and lay near the site of a Benedictine priory established in 1136 by King David I. The original church building succumbed to disrepair in the early 1800s, prompting the construction of a new church on GasHill in 1843. The Free Church built the church at the east end of the village from stones from the former Parish Church around the same time. In 1938, the two churches were united, and in the mid-1940s the St Margaret’s Free Church and manse were sold, the proceeds being used to refurbish St Margaret’s Church Hall embodying the community’s resilience and continuity.

In 1987, the Rev David Lunan left Lhanbryde to take up the charge of Renfield St Stephen’s in Glasgow. Shortly afterwards, in 1988, the Rev Stanley Forsyth retired from the charge of Urquhart Church. Moray Presbytery responded to these transitions by uniting the two charges, forming what is now officially known as St Andrews-Lhanbryd & Urquhart, commonly referred to as SALU.

In the most recent chapter of SALU’s journey, the Moray Presbytery Mission Plan of April 2022 recognised a new stage of transition. The Plan stated:

While the congregation of St. Andrew’s Lhanbryd and Urquhart (SALU) has a strong sense of call to mission in Lhanbryde itself, its building is a considerable distance away – it is no longer in the right place. Therefore, that building should not be retained, enabling the congregation to explore creative ways to be more missionally active in Lhanbryde village.

The building in Urquhart was to be sold also.

This marked a pivotal moment, affirming the congregation’s growing vision to deepen its presence and mission in the heart of the village.

Following this direction, the church hall building in Urquhart is now under offer. The primary site of worship remains at the midway location between the former churches of St Bride and St Andrews, continuing the parish’s long-standing commitment to shared witness and community presence until a new location is found.