Syre Church, a Tin Tabernacle

"Syre Church" - watercolour - 16 x 26 cm


Syre Church, a small church in Strathnaver. It was built in the late 19th Century by the Free Church, a group which broke away from the established church in protest against the control of rich landowners.

The building is of a type known as “tin tabernacles”. These were pre-fabricated structures, made of corrugated iron. They were quick and easy to construct and were often used by non-conformists. They also make attractive subjects for artists!


Comments

Diane said…
I love the colours in the painting, Keith. the image itself is rather lonely, but the colours give it a special kind of warmth. Hopefully, this also parallels the experience of the 19th Century congregation.
Keith Tilley said…
Thanks Diane, I don't think it would be anywhere near as interesting with a grey roof, would it?
Bruce Sherman said…
Hi Keith!... Another warm and inviting subect!

Its inviting nature invkes a memory and brings to mind a line rom a fifties folk hit Church in the Wildwood by The Browns:

"Ohhhh... come to the church in the wildwood
Oh come to the church in the dale
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the dale.

A wonderfuly crafted... warm watercolour and history!

Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Keith Tilley said…
Hi Bruce, thanks for those lines. They could almost have been written for this church. I imagine it must be dear to the childhood of a lot of people.

All the best,
Keith

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