Church Overview

This remarkable building is possibly the most complete Romanesque church in south west Scotland. Located in a walled burial ground, it is the former chapel of Cruggleton Castle, the ruins of which sit around 750m to the east of the church.

After two centuries of neglect and ruination, the two-celled building was substantially restored  in the 1890s by architect and architectural historian William B M Galloway, with works paid for John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute. The outside is largely a conjectural reconstruction with new work delineated by a line of red tiles. Inside, the magnificent chancel arch is mostly of the 12th century.

After the First World War, ownership of the building was hotly disputed, with a local farmer laying claim to its title. The Court of Session ruled in January 1923 that the church belonged to the owner of Cruggleton Farm but that the Kirk Session of nearby Sorbie Church retained the right to hold services in the church at times that were agreeable with the farmer. 

Annual ecumenical services, involving local Church of Scotland, Scottish Episcopal and Roman Catholic clergy have been held since that time, in early September, depending upon when the crops have been cleared from the surrounding fields and ready access is possible. 

Services

Annual ecumenical service, usually on the first or second Sunday of September each year at 3.00 pm. In 2025 it will take place on 7th Sept.

Contact Sorbie Parish Church, All Saints Episcopal Church in Challoch or St Martin & St Ninian’s Roman Catholic Church in Whithorn for further details. 

Opening Arrangements

Open by arrangement with the owners.

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.