Clova Kirk Annual 'Service of the Lambs'

An annual 'Service of the Lambs' is held at Clova Kirk to celebrate the blessing of each successful lambing season in Glen Clova.   Everyone is welcome, and a note of the dates and times of the service can usually be found in the Kirriemuir Herald around the end of April.

The services take place beneath the watchful eye of the Agnus Dei, or Lamb or God, featured in the stained glass window of the kirk.  An indication that sheep farming ia a key activity in Glen Clova, and is of central importance to the life of the residents.  Many thanks to Mike Hayden of Glen Clova for his kind permission to reproduce his photograph.

Clova Kirk is now run by the Clova Kirk Trust but remains under the pastoral charge of The Glens and Kirriemuir Old Parish Church, Kirriemuir.

Although regular services no longer take place, the Kirk is available for special events and ceremonies, weddings, christenings etc. Thus Clova Kirk still retains its place at the physical and spiritual heart of the community.

Clova Kirk Trust also has its own website www.clovakirk.ik.com.  To find out more about the Clova Kirk Trust and its work, or to enquire about hiring the kirk for a ceremony, contact Sandra Mearns 01575 540 243, or visit the Trust's website 

Clova Kirk has an interesting history with the minister at one time alternating between Glen Prosen and Glen Clova, using the Ministers Path to travel between the two on his pony or with his pony and cart.

Also documented in Church records is the fact that on one Sunday in 1662 there was no sermon at Cortachy as the minister was at Clova at the execution (by burning) of a witch. There are many such stories in the glen.