Church Overview

There has been a Christian presence on this site since at least 1128, when the lands around were given the the monks of Kelso Abbey, but the bulk of the current church dates from the early 17th century. Probably reconstructed multiple times on the same spot, parts of its north wall possibly date to the 15th century, while its east end was constructed in 1644 and the cross aisle in 1661.

Despite being substantially repaired in 1794, with further major alterations in 1909 by prolific church architect Peter MacGregor Chalmers, Bowden still retains some remarkable early features. These include the wonderful carved wooden 17th-century laird’s loft made for the Riddell-Carre family, the burial vaults of the Riddell-Carre, Cavers-Carre and Dukes of Roxburghe and some very interesting memorials, including one to Lady Grisell Baillie, first Deaconess of the Church of Scotland.

Further work took place in 1911-12, under the local architectural firm of R & J Grieve, erecting a new external staircase and a vestry to the north of the chancel. In 1912, the congregation also paid £400 to the firm of Arthur Ingram & Co of Edinburgh to build and install a fine pipe organ that is still in use today.

The church sites along a riverbank, surrounded by a kirkyard that contains many notable tombstones.

Services

Sunday 9.30am

Opening Arrangements

Open 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.