CHURCHES

KILFINICHEN

Edited from  RCAHMS  Argyll Volume 3 

This former medieval church served the parish of Kilfinichen, and stood in the south of the parish on the north shore of Loch Scridain.   Only a grass bank remains of the chapel in the church yard.

It's ancient name, Cill Fhionnchain, commemorates St. Findchan (Findchanus) a contemporary of Columba who founded the Monastery of Artchain in Tiree (565) and consequently incurred his displeasure. He then came to Mull to evangelise thus giving the Parish of Kilfinichen his name.  St Finichen's chair was near the church.

It was possibly dedicated to St Fincana the Virgin, one of the nine daughters of St Dove.  

This church was a victim of the Reformation and probably became derelict a century later when the position of minister became difficult to fill.   By the 18th century its walls, were reduced to their lowest courses and were partially covered by private burial enclosures of that period.

In Tobermory Museum there is a late medieval cross-shaft of the Iona school, 14th-15th century, which was formerly in the churchyard.   It measures 0.58m in height above the butt and 0.22m in maximum width.   On one side there is a horizontal row of fleurs-de-lis above which are two animals on each side of the stem.  The other side only has simple foliage.   On the butt is a small figure of a man on horseback.

In the churchyard are several post-reformation grave stones commemorating various local families.

For more information see:  RCAHMS  Argyll Volume 3  (Her Majesty's Stationery Office Edinburgh 1980) ISBN 0 11 491591 1