Teampull Mholuaidh
Encyclopedia
St Moluag's church is a 13th Century temple in the village of Eoropie
in Ness in the Isle of Lewis
in Scotland
.
The church has a basic T shaped structure, with two small chapels on either side of the main body of the church. The southern chapel can only be accessed from outside. There is a lot of speculation about the ancient origins of this place of worship; one tradition tells that St Ronan founded the church, before retiring to the Isle of Rona (in legend travelling on the back of a whale).
The church is now in use as a Scottish Episcopal Church
. There are ruins of another temple 'Teampull Ronaidh' about 500m north east of Teampull Mholuaidh and remains of another temple 'Teampull Pheadair' are about 2km south west of Teampull Mholuaidh beside the old graveyard near the village of Swainbost.
One of the most enduring traditions associated with the church is its power as a place of healing, especially for those afflicted with mental problems. Many people were brought here in the hope of healing, and even those who could not reach the church sent wooden effigies of their afflicted parts. Captain Dymes who came to Lewis in 1630 recorded that people who could not visit the church "were wont to cut out the portion of their lame arms or legs in wood with the form of their sores and wounds therof and send them to the saint where I have seen them lying on the altar of the chapel.
Perhaps one of the most interesting stories and traditions associated with the church is its links with a god of the sea, Seonaidh
. If true the origins of this ceremony may be very old indeed, and may be a lost link with the practices of the pre-Christian islanders.
Eoropie
Eoropie is the most northerly village on the Isle of Lewis in the parish of Ness, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The Teampull Mholuaidh is to be found here....
in Ness in the Isle of Lewis
Lewis
Lewis is the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The total area of Lewis is ....
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The church has a basic T shaped structure, with two small chapels on either side of the main body of the church. The southern chapel can only be accessed from outside. There is a lot of speculation about the ancient origins of this place of worship; one tradition tells that St Ronan founded the church, before retiring to the Isle of Rona (in legend travelling on the back of a whale).
The church is now in use as a Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
. There are ruins of another temple 'Teampull Ronaidh' about 500m north east of Teampull Mholuaidh and remains of another temple 'Teampull Pheadair' are about 2km south west of Teampull Mholuaidh beside the old graveyard near the village of Swainbost.
History and Legend
The church is dedicated to the shadowy figure of St Moluag. It has been suggested that the church was built by the son of a Scandinavian king, who had converted to Christianity.One of the most enduring traditions associated with the church is its power as a place of healing, especially for those afflicted with mental problems. Many people were brought here in the hope of healing, and even those who could not reach the church sent wooden effigies of their afflicted parts. Captain Dymes who came to Lewis in 1630 recorded that people who could not visit the church "were wont to cut out the portion of their lame arms or legs in wood with the form of their sores and wounds therof and send them to the saint where I have seen them lying on the altar of the chapel.
Perhaps one of the most interesting stories and traditions associated with the church is its links with a god of the sea, Seonaidh
Seonaidh
Seonaidh was according to Martin Martin, the name of a water spirit in Lewis.Dwelly defines seonadh as "1. augury, sorcery. 2. Druidism" and quotes Martin further.Martin says that the inhabitants of Lewis used to propitiate Seonaidh by a cup of ale in the following manner...
. If true the origins of this ceremony may be very old indeed, and may be a lost link with the practices of the pre-Christian islanders.