Harris - Christ Church Isle of Harris, Isle of Ensay. The main place of worship is currently on Harris in the grounds of Groscleit House, 5 miles south of Tarbet off the A859. Priest in Charge: The Revd. Daniel Davies Tel: 01859 530344 harris@argyll.anglican.org Secretary: Mrs Dorothy Moorhouse, Shore Cottage, 5 Maaruig, Isle of Harris HS3 3AG Tel :01859 502347 maruig.moors@virgin.net Services: Sundays, 11.00am - Holy Eucharist For further service information please call either 01859 530344 or 01859 502347 Home Who's Who History Publications News & Events Prayer Churches Bishop's Blog Oban Cathedral Cathedral of the Isles Retreats Belltower Companion Dioceses Gaelic In 1998 the congregation purchased a double garage in the grounds of Groscleit House and, through their own efforts, obtained financial assistance from the Province and the Diocese, from Rural Churches in Community Service and from other trusts and bodies to convert it into a most beautiful church which holds up to 50 people. It was converted with their own hands and stands as a great example of a leap of faith, being dedicated by the Bishop in July 1999. In May 2000, Daniel Davies was ordained deacon for Local Collaborative Ministry in Christ Church by the Bishop - another great step forward in providing supported self sufficient ministry in outlying areas. For more than 40 years there has been a House Church on the Island of Harris. Originally this congregation formed part of St Peter's, Stornoway, but in 1994 it became an Independent Congregation. It chose the dedication of Christ Church after the name of the chapel on the Isle of Ensay. Each year in June (usually the third Saturday) there is a pilgrimage to Ensay led by the Bishop of Argyll & The Isles and the Eucharist is celebrated in the chapel. History Little is known of the chapel's early history. In the early 1900's the island became the property of the Stewart family and one of the sisters, Mrs Jessie Scott, decided to renew the old chapel beside Ensay House and to restore it to its original purpose. By 1909 it was repaired, the roof re-slated, the ceiling panelled in Californian redwood, a heavy oak door added and the floor cemented, and a new altar, altar rail, reredos and lectern made in mahogany. The first entry in the register is for 14 October 1910 and there were fairly regular services from then until 1914. There were no recorded services during the First World War, but the church re-opened and periodic services continued until 1935. When Jessie Scott died in 1931 her will made over the chapel and its contents to the Bishop of Argyll & The Isles, together with a small sum to endow the upkeep. The Harris congregation is now responsible for its maintenance. Among the conditions of the will was a clause stating that at least two services a year, including Holy Communion, were to be held there. The church once again fell into disrepair, but in the early 1950's John David, a surgeon who practiced in Ghana, bought Ensay House, restored all that Jessie Scott had done to the chapel and added a distinctive oak door by Robert Thomson. In 1973 Richard Wimbush, the Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, led a pilgrimage of 45 people to Ensay and re-dedicated the church. Since then the annual pilgrimage has been continued by members of Lewis and Harris congregations.