Church Overview

A simple rectangular, three-bay church, with a slender “birdcage” bellcote, designed and built by mason-architect William McGowan in 1834. A beautifully carved, early medieval slab has been reused as a lintel over its doorway. Possibly dating from the 8th or 9th century, it may once have been part of a cross-shaft and shows a dragon surrounded by foliage. Similar in design to motifs found in Anglian jewellery, it is possible the stone may have been relocated from Barneygill Chapel.

The simple interior, with its pulpit at the east end and a panelled vestibule at the west end, was substantially restored in 1899. The ornate oak communion table and chairs were installed in the church during its centenary celebrations in 1934.

There are several interesting memorials in the graveyard, including some remarkable 18th century carved headstones, with memento mori symbols, and monuments to notable individuals such as Dr John Rogerson, a physician to Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, and the Rt Rev Archibald Charteris, founder of the Woman’s Guild and moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1892.

Following a reorganisation of ecclesiastical parish boundaries by the Church of Scotland in September 2023, the congregations of Wamphray Parish Church, St Andrew’s Parish Church in Moffat and Kirkpatrick Juxta Parish Church formed a union known as Upper Annandale Parish. 

Kirkpatrick Juxta was marketed for sale in August 2024 and the final service was held in Wamphray Parish Church in December 2025. A group of local residents called the Friends of Wamphray Church have formed a SCIO with the objective of purchasing and preserving the building for use by the local community for generations to come..

CHURCH WAS CLOSED IN DECEMBER 2025

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.