Semblister Kirk

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

Semblister Kirk

The Kirk from the bank below

Semblister Kirk at Semblister, Sandsting, West Shetland Mainland, was built in 1780.
It replaced the old St Mary's Chapel at Sand.
"A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland" by Samuel Lewis, from 1846 says about the kirk ,(in the Parish of Sandsting and Aithsting) : "The church was built in 1780, and reseated in 1824, and contains sittings for 437 persons. Previously to its erection there was a church in each of the two districts; and the present edifice was raised in a central situation, for the more regular performance of divine service; but it is found inconvenient for general attendance, many of the inhabitants being separated by a marshy tract seven miles across, and others by two arms of the sea."
The Kirk is now in a ruinous state, but the pulpit is still standing.
It was in use until, at least, 1937, as a marriage ceremony is recorded there in that year. The congregation moved their place of worship to what was the church hall in Garderhouse, but returned to the Semblister Kirk for a service once a year for several years after the move.