Building record MAB21316 - ST MEDDAN'S CHURCH
Please read our guidance about the use of Aberdeenshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
Remains of a church and associated graveyard.
Protected Status/Designation
- Scheduled Monument 5314
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 8719 1555 (86m by 73m) Centred at - Polygon: Unknown Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ81NE |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Fintray |
Type and Period (4)
Full Description
Remains of a church and associated graveyard. The church was dedicated to St Meddan and belonged to the Abbey of Lindores. It was in use until 1703 when a new church was erected at Hatton of Fintray (NJ81NW0058, which itself went out of use in 1821 replaced by a new church NJ81NW0104). The church building is roofless, but the walls stand to roof level and appear to have been restored. There are several old gravestones in the churchyard of which four have unusual designs. No.1, the smallest, has a simple Latin cross potent. No.2, of grey granite, has a carved sword in relief and an incised cross. No. 3, of grey granite, which appears to have been used as a grave slab, has an incised circle enclosing a cross, a rectangular 'grid', a pair of shears and another circular figure. No.4, of coarse grained granite, also appears to have been used as a grave cover and bears an incised sword with incised cross potent near each end of the stone. The remains of the church have been incorporated into the burial enclosure of the Forbes of Fintray, later the Forbes-Sempills. The enclosure measures 19.8 m by 7.8 m and has opposed entrances with railed gates. Towards the east end of the surviving wall of the church is a sacrament house, a recess for the communion cup, above which is a square pink granite panel carved in relief, of possible 15th century date, bearing a depiction of Christ crucified flanked by 2 figures.
A 8627-9 (1911), A 8627-9 (1911) (Ground Photograph). SAB14549.
RITCHIE, J, 1911, SOME OLD CROSSES AND UNLETTERED SEPULCHRAL MONUMENTS IN ABERDEENSHIRE. IN PSAS 45(1910-11) 333-353, 337-43 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1517.
SCOTT, H., 1915-2000, FASTI ECCLESIAE SCOTICANAE, 56 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1621.
BRUCE, S, 2007, ST MEDDEN'S KIRK, ABERDEENSHIRE : A RIGHT MIDDEN! (Bibliographic reference). SAB3812.
Jan 1 2012 , DIGITIAL SMR, DIGITIAL SMR (Ground Photograph). SAB13367.
Jul 1 2002 , CNU 15-19, CNU 15-19 (Ground Photograph). SAB12324.
Jul 4 1985 , ER 7-8, ER 7-8 (Ground Photograph). SAB14548.
Sep 30 2014 , ABS-GR-14-09-30, ABS-GR-14-09-30 (Ground Photograph). SAB13557.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HAMP Asset: HA0138;
- HAMP Asset: HA0305;
- HES Scheduled Monument Number: 5314;
- NMR Card Number: NJ81NE11;
- NRHE Numlink: 19445;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ81NE0007;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM5314 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/19445 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (8)
- --- SAB12324 Ground Photograph: Jul 1 2002 . CNU 15-19. Colour Negative. CNU 15-19.
- --- SAB13367 Ground Photograph: Jan 1 2012 . DIGITIAL SMR. Digital. DIGITIAL SMR.
- --- SAB13557 Ground Photograph: Sep 30 2014 . ABS-GR-14-09-30. Digital. ABS-GR-14-09-30.
- --- SAB14548 Ground Photograph: Jul 4 1985 . ER 7-8. Black & White. ER 7-8.
- --- SAB14549 Ground Photograph: A 8627-9 (1911). Black & White. A 8627-9 (1911).
- --- SAB1517 Bibliographic reference: RITCHIE, J. 1911. SOME OLD CROSSES AND UNLETTERED SEPULCHRAL MONUMENTS IN ABERDEENSHIRE. IN PSAS 45(1910-11) 333-353. 337-43.
- --- SAB1621 Bibliographic reference: SCOTT, H.. 1915-2000. FASTI ECCLESIAE SCOTICANAE. Y. 56.
- --- SAB3812 Bibliographic reference: BRUCE, S. 2007. ST MEDDEN'S KIRK, ABERDEENSHIRE : A RIGHT MIDDEN!.
Finds (3)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Jan 3 2025 10:02AM
