Exploring a new home for Gaelic culture and heritage in Point.
Point and Sandwick has a remarkable cultural heritage, with generations of writers, poets, musicians and artists making their mark on Gaelic life, both in the islands and further afield.
Point and Sandwick Trust is exploring plans to give Knock Mission Hall a new lease of life, transforming the former place of worship into a cultural and heritage centre celebrating the people, stories and traditions of the area.
PST purchased the building in 2025, with the ambition of creating a welcoming space where local people and visitors can discover, enjoy and take part in the rich cultural life of Point and Sandwick.
The project is at an early stage, and we want the community to help shape what happens next.
Have your say
We are inviting local residents, Gaelic speakers and learners, community organisations and anyone with an interest in the area's heritage to share their views on the proposals.
The consultation will help us understand whether there is a need for a dedicated cultural and heritage centre, what activities and facilities people would value, and how Knock Mission Hall could best serve the community and visitors.
Click here to take part in the Knock Mission Hall community consultation
Consultation closing date: Friday 27th November 2026
Responses will inform the feasibility study for the proposed centre. The survey does not ask for your name or contact details, and findings will be reported in summary form without identifying individual respondents.
Working with Comann Eachdraidh an Rubha
Comann Eachdraidh an Rubha (Point Historical Society) is an important partner in the development of the project, bringing a wealth of knowledge about the area's history and heritage.
The Society already hosts regular exhibitions at Àros an Rubha, and the proposed centre at Knock Mission Hall would build on this work rather than replace it.
Celebrating our cultural heritage
Point and Sandwick has made a considerable contribution to Gaelic literature, poetry, music, art and wider cultural life.
Among the area's celebrated literary figures is Derick Thomson (Ruaraidh MacThòmais), the internationally recognised Gaelic poet and scholar from Point, who played a leading role in the development of modern Gaelic literature.
The area also has connections to writers and artists including Iain Crichton Smith, Anne Frater, Gaelic singer Ishbel MacAskill and artist Will Maclean.
One of the ideas being explored is a dedicated space celebrating Derick Thomson's life and work, potentially providing a home for a collection of his books and personal items, including his writing desk, purchased with support from PST and currently held in storage by Comann Eachdraidh an Rubha.
The wider vision is to bring together the stories, voices and creative achievements of Point and Sandwick, making them accessible to new generations and visitors discovering the area.
A place to discover, learn and take part
The proposed centre would be more than somewhere to view exhibitions. The ambition is to create a lively cultural space where Gaelic language, music, literature and local traditions can be shared and enjoyed.
Ideas being explored include exhibitions and heritage collections, traditional music and singing, poetry readings, storytelling, performances, talks, workshops and Gaelic language classes.
There is also potential for summer programmes, creative activities and opportunities for children and young people to learn about the area's heritage.
The aim is to create something distinctive that complements the work of existing Gaelic and heritage organisations on Lewis, particularly Comann Eachdraidh an Rubha.
Giving Knock Mission Hall a new future
The former Mission Hall offers an opportunity to bring an existing local building back into community use while retaining its character.
Early proposals explore how the building could accommodate flexible exhibition and performance space, heritage collections, research facilities and activities for the community.
The project is currently being assessed through a feasibility study and business planning process, which will consider the building's redevelopment, potential uses and long-term sustainability.
If progressed, Knock Mission Hall could also become part of the wider visitor experience being developed through Visit Point and Sandwick, encouraging people to explore the area's Gaelic culture, history, landscape and communities.
A little of the hall's history
Knock Mission Hall has been part of community life in Point for generations, serving as a place of worship and gathering for local families.
The hall was used by Knock Free Church, the name historically given to the Free Church parish covering Point, and later by Point Free Church for Sunday services. It also hosted regular prayer meetings and Sunday School, as well as weddings, baptisms and funerals.
Local recollections suggest that weekly prayer meetings continued into the early 2000s.
The exact date of the building's construction has yet to be established. Interestingly, one former attendee recalls his grandfather referring to the building as the 'School House', raising questions about whether the site may once have had an educational use.
PST hopes to uncover more of the hall's history as plans for its future develop, preserving not only the building but also the memories and stories associated with it.
Do you have memories or photographs of Knock Mission Hall?
We'd love to hear from anyone who can help us piece together the building's history and the part it has played in community life over the years. If you have photographs, memories or information to share, please get in touch with Point and Sandwick Trust via our Contact form.
Help shape plans
We want to hear what you think about the proposed centre, what you would like to see there and any ideas or concerns you may have.
Your feedback will help inform the next stage of the project and ensure that decisions about the future of Knock Mission Hall reflect the needs and aspirations of the community.
Click to Complete the community consultation
Consultation closing date: Friday 27th November 2026