Church Overview

This remarkable and unassuming little church sits on a Christian foundation dating to at least the early-13th century, when it was recorded as a rectory belonging to the Gibertine Priory of St Mary at Dalmulin, but potentially much earlier than this. The medieval church dedicated to St Quivox (sometimes known as St Kevock) was substantially rebuilt in 1595, by local landowner Alan Cathcart, 4th Lord Cathcart.

The late-16th century rebuild retained some fragments of the medieval church at its core and this post-Reformation kirk was itself extended in 1767 to create its current T-plan shape, a characteristic reordering of many a Scottish church in the 18th century. The then landowner, London merchant Richard Oswald, oversaw these changes and added the Auchencruive Gallery for his family with a burial aisle beneath. Two further galleries were added in 1825, for the local Whittlet and Craigie families, and all three “lairds’ lofts” were accessed by external staircases.

The interior fittings still date largely from the late-18th century re-ordering, including a very good canted pulpit with its pilastered sounding board in the centre of the south wall. The roof underwent significant repairs in 1985, when new heating and lighting was installed the interior was redecorated. Further renovations took place in 2016, with upgrades to the vestry and a new floor in the crypt area to allow this space to be used for meetings.

There are many very interesting grave markers in the surrounding B-listed kirkyard, dating from the mid 17th century onwards, including depictions of trade tools and good example of an “Adam & Eve” stone. The cemetery also houses the mausoleum of the Campbells of Craigie, built by celebrated Scottish architect William Henry Playfair in 1822.

Catering for the expansion of the neighbouring population of Whitletts in the mid-20th century, the Church of Scotland built a “Hall Church” at Dalmilling that opened in September 1953, as an extension of St Quivox Auchincruive. Served by a single minister, consecutive services were held on Sundays until the late 2010s when it was decided to alternate weekly services between the two buildings.

The Church of Scotland embarked upon a nationwide rationalisation of its building portfolio in the early 2020s and it was announced that a final service was to be held in St Quivox Auchincruive in September 2025 and in St Quivox Dalmilling in December 2025. The future use of both buildings is yet to be determined.

Church now closed, but graveyard remains open and in the care of local authority

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.