Church Overview

This late Perpendicular Gothic church is one of Scotland’s oldest collegiate churches still in use for worship. Originally dedicated to St Bride, it occupies the site of its 6th-century predecessor. Its medieval choir dates to 1398, but much of the church was substantially restored in 1898 by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson. The nave and three staged pinnacled tower date from 1833, the work of architect David Hamilton, with further alterations in 1933. Notably, this church holds the earliest surviving pointed barrel vault over a the main sanctuary of any church in Scotland.

There is much of interest within the interior of this church, particularly the many medieval carved stone effigies and decorative features. There are timber pews, a carved pentagonal pulpit with timber canopy and a carved stone octagonal font on a marble pedestal. In the chancel are wall-mounted memorials to the Duke of Hamilton and the Earls of Douglas, the former relocated in 1852 from the now demolished kirk of Hamilton. It is made from black and white marble and Caen stone and has barley sugar columns with Corinthian capitals and a deep and decorative cornice.

There is some wonderful stained glass by artists including Gordon Webster, Douglas Strachan and Sir Edward Burne-Jones and visitors will learn fascinating tales of an outstanding royal wedding and the kirk’s link with Bothwell Castle. There are also many burial tombs and memorials throughout the church and the grounds associated with the Douglas family.

Services

Sundays: 10.30am.

Opening Arrangements

Open daily June to end-August, 10.00am to 12.30pm and 2.00-4.00pm daily

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.