The history of Invergordon took a dramatic change in direction in 1913 when it became a permanent base for the Royal Navy. The pier, giving a deep-water berth, and the large oil tanks on the high ground above the town, also date from this period.
The revival of the Episcopalian tradition also dates from this period, but whereas the Royal Naval presence in Invergordon came to an end in 1994, St Ninian’s Church in Invergordon continues to thrive.
The last Episcopalian priest of the old tradition died in 1714, and almost exactly two hundred years later, in 1915, a Scottish Episcopalian congregation gathered again in Invergordon. The following year a church, made out of wood and metal, was erected by the Admiralty. It was sanctioned as a Permanent Mission by Bishop MacLean in 1917.
In 1989 a new church was built on the same site, incorporating trusses and the stained glass from the old Naval Church. Many gifts of furnishings were received from churches throughout the British Isles dedicated to St Ninian.
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,
For ’tis well secured by the Saviour’s hand;
And the cables passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast, through strength divine.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,
When the breakers have told the reef is near;
Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
It will surely hold in the floods of death,
When the waters cold chill our latest breath;
On the rising tide it can never fail,
While our hopes abide within the veil.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Stedfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
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