Talk:Caithness Towns and Villages B

Berriedale

Berriedale Church is one of Thomas Telford's Parliamentary Churches. The Government had spent quite some time and effort building roads and bridges throughout the Highlands, a Commission set up in the 1820's set about building 43 churches amongst the scattered parishes and thinly populated region. Funding of £50,000 was granted and each church was also to have a manse house. The economic restrictions meant that only a plain building was possible, the meagre finances were overcome by Telford (engaged on the earlier bridge work) who decided to construct each building to the same size and plan.

Each building was a simple "T" shape, the front wall faced South whenever possible and within the wall there were two doors and two windows, a bell would be hung above the left gable with an external rope attached. Internally the pulpit would be placed against the front wall between the windows, seating was basic although six churches did have an addiional gallery. At the end of the project in 1830 just 32 churches were constructed and of those 32 there are sixteen still standing. Berriedale is the only building to carry a date (1826) and in common with many of the buildings has seen some modifications, in this instance one door being closed up and a porch erected over the remaining door.

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