Church Overview

The nearby ruinous Kelso Abbey was founded in 1128 and after the Reformation its west end had been converted into the local parish church and used for worship, in the new Presbyterian fashion, for the two centuries that followed. Work began in 1771 on a new parish kirk for the town, in a corner of the Abbey’s grounds. This unusual octagonal-plan church, completed in 1773, was the work of local masons James Nisbet and John Laidlaw and local carpenter John Purves.

Its interior was altered by architect William Elliot in 1823, who added a flat ceiling to improve its acoustics, and the distinctive Italianate belfry over its north porch was added in 1833. Its gallery was converted to a horseshoe layout and a new pulpit and other furnishings were installed by Liverpool architect Francis Usher Holme in 1895. Further remodelling followed in 1904 to accommodate a new pipe organ. The banners of the Blues & Royals were presented to the church by the Duke of Roxburghe 1927.

The 18th century kirk was was threatened with closure in the 1960s and 1970s, but was saved through the collective efforts of its congregation and the local community and in 1988 it formally united with Sprouston Kirk. 

Services

Sunday: 11.30am

Opening Arrangements

Open Easter to September, Monday to Friday 10.00am-4.00pm

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.