St John's Cathedral, Oban

30/05/2026

It was a joy to be at the service to witness the installation of Bishop Dagmar and be a part of the welcome of the whole SEC. We pray God’s blessing on her ministry and that she has joy in being a part of our wonderful church.

29/05/2026

We hope that all who knew Canon Ian will be able to attend this service as we give thanks for his life and ministry.
Clergy who wish to robe, please contact Provost Margi via the Cathedral webpage: https://www.stjohnsoban.org.uk/

21/05/2026

The Rev’d Canon Ian Edward Walter 01/01/1947 – 19/05 2026

It is with deep sorrow that St John’s Cathedral, Oban, shares the sad news of the death of The Rev’d Canon Ian Walter on May 19th 2026.
Ian was ordained deacon in the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway in 1973, having trained at Cuddesdon College and gained Masters degrees at Edinburgh University and Keble College, Oxford.
He served curacies in St John the Evangelist, Greenock and at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow, before being appointed Rector to St Barnabus, Paisley. Always mentioning his wife, May’s contribution to his ministry, their next steps took them to serve in the Church of England in the Manchester Diocese (St Philip, Bolton le Moors) where, alongside parish life, Ian also served as the Diocesan Ecumenical Officer for 6 years. Ian spent seven years in All Saints Elton, before being appointed to St George Stalybridge and then returning in 2001 to the Scottish Episcopal Church to serve his final appointment in St Cuthbert’s, Hawick in the Diocese of Edinburgh.
Ian retired in 2008 and with May, moved to Oban, where his next 18 years were in faithful and stalwart service at St John’s Cathedral, latterly also maintaining regular services in St Columba’s, Gruline on the Isle of Mull. Retirement was not quiet, he assisted in the Cathedral through 2 vacancies and still delighted in celebrating at midweek services even until a few months before his death. Diocesan recognition of his service was made on July 2nd 2023 when he was installed as an Honorary Canon of St John’s Cathedral on his 50th anniversary of Ordination.
We will miss his presence and ministry shared over many years among the Cathedral congregation, in Gruline and around the Diocese; and we will remember his warm welcome to visitors, immense care in preparing to lead services, his devotion to serve and work for God's Kingdom alongside a deep longing he always felt to do more in his ministry. Theological learning and debate was immensely important to him, alongside duty to the community and his stories of experiences in ministry, and hills and mountains walked, filled many a coffee morning. He was deeply pleased that his final act before being taken ill was to cast his vote.
We have sorrow in his passing from our presence, but pray he has the joy of being in the nearer presence of our God, reunited in the eternal with his wife May - almost 5 years to the day of her death. May died on May 20 2022, and in realising that he would not be able to visit her grave on the anniversary this year, he asked for white carnations to be placed by the paschal candle in the Cathedral. This was done, in the end, marking also his final step into the Kingdom he had faithfully proclaimed for nearly 53 years of ordained life.
We offer our prayers to Ian’s brothers and wider family and give thanks for his life and ministry.
We will share more details of his funeral once known.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Very Rev'd Margi Campbell
Provost and Dean

07/05/2026

Inscribed on the Mace, which sits in Holyrood whenever they are in session, are the words… Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity.
Let us pray that all who seek to serve and all who are elected
will be be inspired and governed by these values.
Bless them with patience, humility, wisdom, and empathy as they approach the path ahead.
Remind of their duty to serve the interests of all their constituents, perhaps especially those whose voices are most often drowned out by the powerful and the privileged.
Lord grant them ears to hear, wisdom to discern, and voices to speak truth.
In Jesus’ name we pray.

25/04/2026

TONIGHT a concert by the 'Blow-In's' in aid of our Organ Appeal....come along to enjoy some wonderful music! Tickets on the door £10.

05/04/2026

Today the stone is rolled away as we celebrate new life, new hope: Christ is risen - Alleluia! Come and share the joy at our celebration Eucharist at 10.15am..

05/04/2026

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

Risen Lord Jesus,
on this joyful Easter morning,
we give thanks for the triumph of your love—
a love that overcomes death
and brings new life to the world.

May the light of your resurrection shine brightly
in every community and every home,
renewing our faith and deepening our hope.

As a pilgrim people,
journeying together through the changing seasons of life,
lead us ever onward in your way —
giving us courage in times of uncertainty,
patience in times of struggle,
and at all times joy in your presence.

As the empty tomb speaks of new beginnings,
so shape our lives by your grace,
that we may be faithful in service, generous in love,
and steadfast in hope.

Bless our communities this Easter Day,
and make us witnesses to your risen life,
today and always.

For you are alive, now and forever.

Alleluia! Amen.

17/01/2026

A Week praying for Christian Unity begins on Sunday Jan 18th.... it is good to come togther to share support and be strengthened in our own faith and stand in prayer with those whose lives are fragile and uncertain....we invite you to join us at the Cathedral, at the Baptist Church and in prayer using the leaflet https://ctbi.org.uk/.../WPCU-2026-English-Pamphlet.pdf...

14/01/2026

A moment of sunshine coming up ….

25/12/2025

The joyous celebrations hearing again the story of Christ’s birth - from a host of lights from all the children to welcome Jesus at the Family Crib Service, the blessing of the crib at the Midnight Mass and resounding carols at the Christmas Morning Eucharist. We wish everyone who sees this post - a truly blessed, light-filled, joyous and peaceful Christmas!