Bishop's House Iona was built in 1894, when Iona Abbey was still in ruins, to provide a place for Episcopalians on the island of Iona. It was originally called Saint Columba's House, after the chapel at its centre dedicated to Saint Columba. It was established under Bishop Alexander Chinnery-Haldane, a year after the tenancy was granted by the 9th Duke of Argyll, as a place of "prayer, study, contemplation and Eucharist". Despite protests from the local established church minister the house continued to be supported by the Duke and the Bishop.