Westray and Papay Parish Kirks

The Church of Scotland is the Parish Church for Westray and Papay. The Westray Kirk is a large building at Kirkbrae, on the right hand side of the road heading north, about two miles south of Pierowall. It is beside the signpost for Cleaton House Hotel. St. Ann’s Kirk in Papay is next to the school.

St. Boniface Kirk in Papay (although no longer owned by the Church of Scotland) is also used occasionally for worship. You will find a warm welcome at any of these places.

In Westray we value working closely with our Baptist neighbours, sharing in evening worship as well as a number of other services and events throughout the year. There is also a Gospel Hall (Christian Brethren) on each island.

We also work through the Orkney Presbytery of the Church of Scotland and have strong links with many other Orkney congregations. Several members of the local Church serve at national level on some of the General Assembly’s Boards and Committees.

The Westray and Papay congregations are “linked”, which means that they share a minister but have their own office bearers and Kirk Sessions. This system has worked to the benefit of both islands for several generations.

The Church of Scotland is numerically the largest denomination here but we are still small enough to enjoy informality and a closeness of fellowship, which we see as an advantage.

Both congregations have recently been involved in major building refurbishment and now have building assets to be proud of.

        Westray Kirk                                                                    St Ann's Kirk