Building record MAB31813 - LINTRATHEN PARISH CHURCH

Lintrathen parish church and graveyard, no longer in ecclesiastical use.

Lintrathen parish church and graveyard, no longer in ecclesiastical use. It was built in 1802 on the site of an earlier church, which was dedicated to St Medan (Medden / Meddan / Madden). An earlier church is first mentioned in 1274, although antiquarian reports suggest it may be as early as 10th century. It was annexed to Inchmahome Priory by 1431. This church was demolished in the late-18th century to be replaced by the current church. It is shown on the 1st edition OS map as a rectangular church with small additions to the north, east and west elevations, set within an irregular graveyard. On the 2nd edition OS map there is a large extension to the north elevation, creating a T-plan building. The addition to the west elevation has been extended, and the one to the east elevation has been removed. Current maps show a rectangular building has been added to the east of the church. The extension to a T-plan took place in 1875, at which time the church was also remodelled. It is a Gothic-style church, constructed from sandstone rubble and with a slate roof. The south elevation has 5 bays of four pointed windows and a now blocked minister's door at the centre. Above the blocked door is an oval stone plaque, very worn, edged with a rope-moulded border. There is a gabled bellcote on the west facing gable of the nave and a low session house at the west end. The north aisle of the church has shouldered-arched windows on its east and west elevations. The east gable of the original nave has been cement rendered. Part of a cross with interlacing was found when Dundee Water Commissioners were working near the church. The fragment, part of an 8th-9th Century AD Celtic cross slab, is built into the west gable of the south wing of the church, just outside the door which leads to the vestry. The stone is a narrow edge or top of a cross slab measuring 5cm by 30cm (2 inches by 12 inches), carved out of a very greyish piece of Old Red Sandstone, and bears a single row of interlace which occupies its width. It survives in relatively good condition (visited by AAS in July 2013). There is a stool of repentance and a collection ladle dated 1763 in the vestry. The graveyard walls are rubble-built and are on average 4 feet (1.2 metres) high. There is a pair of ashlar gatepiers in the wall, and the wall and gatepiers are from the early-19th century. The graveyard contains a number of interesting headstones and gravemarkers, the earliest of which dates to 1610. To the north-west of the church is a former hearse house, built in circa 1875 (NO25SE0005). The Bell of St Medan church is said to have been kept by the Durwards in Peel of Lintrathen (NO25SE0004) until circa 1400, when it was transferred to Airlie Castle (NO25SE0011). It was lost in the burning of the castle in 1640 and, though eventually re-discovered, its character was not recognised and it was broken up as scrap metal. The churchyard contains the Commonwealth war grave of Private Colin Ross Hunter, Royal Scots.

Period Notes
An earlier church is first mentioned in 1274, although antiquarian reports suggest it may be as early as 10th century. It was annexed to Inchmahome Priory by 1431, then demolished in the late-18th century. The current church was built in 1802 and extended and remodelled in 1875. An 8th - 9th century AD cross slab is built into the church, and the earliest gravestone dates to 1610. The church was closed in 2011. The church and graveyard were listed on 15/01/1980.

WARDEN, A. J., 1880-85, ANGUS OR FORFARSHIRE: THE LAND & PEOPLE, Vol.4, 207-8 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2086.

SCOTT, H., 1915-2000, FASTI ECCLESIAE SCOTICANAE, Vol.5, 267; Vol.8, 476 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1621.

WATSON, WJ, 1926, CELTIC PLACE NAMES OF SCOTLAND, 290 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2004.

Fraser, D, 1964, [Untitled], 125 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10504.

COWAN, IB, 1967, THE PARISHES OF MED SCOT, 133 (Bibliographic reference). SAB242.

RCAHMS, 1984, [Untitled], 10, No. 30 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9322.

Atkinson, N M, 1990, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 39 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10721.

GIFFORD, J, 2012, THE BUILDINGS OF SCOTLAND: DUNDEE AND ANGUS, p.384-385 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2631.

Jul 30 2013 , AAS-GR-13-07-014 to 045, AAS-GR-13-07-014 to 045 (Ground Photograph). SAB21013.

Author unknown, n.d., NSA, Vol.10, 640 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1269.

Record last edited

Aug 26 2024 1:01PM