Kilfinichen

Kilfinichen

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, is thought commemorate St Findchan (Findchanus), a contemporary of Columba, who founded the Monastery of Artchain in Tiree in 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.  However, it is possible that the dedication was 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.  The remains indicate that the building measured 16.0 m by 4.6 m and that the walls were 0.8 m thick.

In the Mull Museum, Tobermory there is a late medieval cross-shaft of the Iona school, 14th–15th century, which was formerly in the churchyard.  It measures 0.58 m in height above the butt and 0.22 m 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 has only 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.

                               Grid Reference NM 496 284