Building record MAB33227 - KIRRIEMUIR OLD PARISH CHURCH

Parish church and graveyard, still in ecclesiastical use, built in 1786-8 by James Playfair on the site of its predecessor.

Parish church and graveyard, still in ecclesiastical use, built in 1786-8 by James Playfair on the site of its predecessor. It is also known as The Barony Church. It was gifted to Arbroath Abbey (NO64SW0018) in circa 1211-4, and was dedicated to St Mary. Various early medieval sculptured stones have been found within the church and graveyard (see NO35SE0020). There are records of repairs to the old church in 1723. It was described as being circa 60.9m x 6.1m (200 feet x 20 feet), and built in the form of a cross with an aisle on the north and south. It was demolished to make way for the current church. There are later alterations to the current church, including reseating in 1873 by John Carver and a hall added in 1904. The graveyard contains monuments from the 17th century. It is shown on the 1st and 2nd edition OS map as a rectangular church with a projection on the east end elevation. Current maps show the east end has been extended. The church is constructed from red rough ashlar with arched windows at the upper level with original glazing and a slated roof. There are seven windows to the flank, and the end bays are advanced. There are five windows in the west gable, which is surmounted by a two-stage clock tower with a simple octagonal spire. The church has a galleried interior, with slim superimposed Doric orders and a segmental ceiling. Seventeen of the windows are stained glass, including a memorial window to local poet Violet Jacob, depicting the Last Supper. Within the church are First and Second World War marble memorial tablets. Also within the church is a World War I memorial board originally in Kirriemuir North United Free Church (NO35SE0100). First and Second World War abutting memorial plaques are recorded as coming from St Ninian's Church. The graveyard features square ashlar and cast- and wrought-iron gatepiers. Photographic recording of the church was carried out in May 2017.

Period Notes
The church was gifted to Arbroath Abbey in circa 1211-4. There are 17th century monuments in the graveyard. There were repairs to the church in 1723, but it was later demolished to make way for the current church, built in 1786-8. There were alterations in 1873 and a hall added in 1904. The church and graveyard were listed on 11/06/1971.

MS/733/59, MS/733/59 (Photograph). SAB23868.

Warden, A J, 1880-5, [Untitled], Vol. 4, 86-90 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10071.

Allen and Anderson, J R and, 1903, [Untitled], pt. 3, 261 (Bibliographic reference). SAB12030.

Hay, G, 1957, [Untitled], 246 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11875.

Murdoch, R, 1995, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 94 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11577.

Atkinson, N, 1995, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 94 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11580.

ATKINSON, N, 1995, KIRRIEMUIR PARISH CHURCH. IN DES P. 94 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2172.

HUNTER, F, 2000, DES 2000, KIRRIEMUIR OLD PARISH CHURCH, p13 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2686.

CROSS FRAGMENT

RCAHMS, 2003, EARLY MEDIEVAL SCULPTURE IN ANGUS COUNCIL MUSEUMS (Bibliographic reference). SAB1613.

May 5 2017 , 16/00926/LBC, 16/00926/LBC (Ground Photograph). SAB33482.

Record last edited

Sep 23 2025 2:38PM