Building record MAB37648 - KINCARDINE O'NEIL OLD PARISH CHURCH

Remains of former parish church and associated graveyard.

Remains of former parish church and associated graveyard. It was built circa 1330, burnt in 1733 and repaired, considerably altered in 1799, repaired again by J. and W. Smith 1846, unroofed 1862, and restored as far as possible by WR Davidson, architect, in 1931. A former parish church, dedicated to St Erchard and the Virgin Mary. St Erchard is said to have been a local disciple of St Ternan (late 6th century) and is buried within the church. From documentary evidence the church appears to have been a minster in origin. The ruined church, built of small stones and run lime was repaired and stripped of ivy in 1931, to reveal possibly 14th century detail, including a fine walled-up north door and lancet windows. The granite belfry probably dates circa 1640. The date of the foundation is unknown, but it passed into the possession of the hospital (see also NO59NE0005) on its foundation before 1231. Foundations which extend East of the East gable, and the peculiarities of the gable itself, suggest that the hospital may have adjoined the church on the East. Two windows in the upper part of the gable look into the church as if from an upper floor of the adjoining building, as occurred in some monastic buildings in order that sick persons might hear the service. In this case the lancet windows in the east gable would be later insertions, probably dating from the period when the adjoining building was removed. They may in fact have belonged to that building. The church was in use until 1861, when a new church was built at NO 5938 9958. The roof was removed in 1862, and in 1869 the interior was divided into private burial grounds for the ministers and certain of the heritors. The foundations on the east side are clearly visible, just protruding through the turf, and denote a building of similar dimensions to the church. The northeast corner of the foundations have been destroyed. The churchyard contains five World War I and II Commonwealth war graves.

Period Notes
Hospital built c.1233; Given to the Cathedral of Aberdeen c.1338; two-storey hospice at east end; heather roof burned 1733; buttresses raised 1830; repairs 1846; in use until 1861; abandoned 1862 and roof removed; interior divided into private burial grounds 1869; restored 1931. Listed 16/04/1971.

JERVISE, A, 1879, EPITAPHS & INSCRIPTIONS,VOL 2, 238 (Bibliographic reference). SAB889.

McCONNACHIE, AL, 1898, THE ROYAL DEE, 126-30 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1136.

WATSON, WJ, 1926, CELTIC PLACE NAMES OF SCOTLAND, 370 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2004.

SIMPSON, WD, 1943, PROVINCE OF MAR, 116-21 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1676.

EASSON, D, 1957, MEDIEVAL RELIGIOUS HOUSES: SCOTLAND, 148 (Bibliographic reference). SAB440.

COWAN, IB, 1964, CORRECTS TO EASSON MD RELIG HS, 29-30 (Bibliographic reference). SAB241.

CACHART, R, 2000, Gazetteer of Medieval Hospital Sites (Bibliographic reference). SAB3877.

MCALEESE, R, 2015, ST MARY'S HOSPITAL, KINCARDINE O'NEIL IN SCOTTISH LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL, ISSUE 91, pp. 12-20 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5205.

Apr 24 1989 , IU 15-16, IU 15-16 (Ground Photograph). SAB33669.

Apr 26 2004 , AAS/04/1/CT30-4,51-2, AAS/04/1/CT30-4,51-2 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB18048.

Aug 20 1984 , CN 10-12, CN 10-12 (Ground Photograph). SAB15313.

Aug 22 2014 , ABS-GR-14-08-004 - 007, ABS-GR-14-08-004 - 007 (Ground Photograph). SAB13545.

Jan 17 2017 , AAS-GR-17-01-052 - 064, AAS-GR-17-01-052 - 064 (Ground Photograph). SAB35524.

Jan 19 2003 , GR/03/CT179-181, GR/03/CT179-181 (Ground Photograph). SAB36975.

Jan 19 2003 , GR/03/CT179-80, GR/03/CT179-80 (Ground Photograph). SAB17968.

Jun 7 1995 , MT 9-15, MT 9-15 (Ground Photograph). SAB33386.

Jun 7 1995 , NC 1-8, NC 1-8 (Ground Photograph). SAB33418.

May 14 2016 , AAS-GR-16-08-036 - 207, AAS-GR-16-08-036 - 207 (Ground Photograph). SAB35528.

Author unknown, n.d., ABERDEEN CHRONICLE, 24/04/86 (Bibliographic reference). SAB46.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, KINCARDINE O'NEIL 1 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Author unknown, n.d., NSA, (1843) 837 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1269.

Sep 29 2016 , AAS-GR-17-09-010 to 013, AAS-GR-17-09-010 to 013 (Ground Photograph). SAB35454.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2025 3:25PM