Dalry Parish Church, St John's Town of Dalry
Denomination: Church of Scotland
Address: Main Street, St John’s Town of Dalry, DG7 3UW
Local Authority: Dumfries & Galloway
Listing: B
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Church Overview
This Gothic kirk was completed in 1831, to a design by architect William McCandlish, to replace a ruinous church of 1771; probably the third church to occupy the site. Early records are scarce, but an already dilapidated church is recorded on this site in 1427.
T-plan church with a square tower and bold Gothic flourishes, such as the pinnacles at the corners and gables. The porch was added in 1976. There are galleries on three sides of the sanctuary, each facing the pulpit with its carved wooden canopy. Its traditional interior is plainly furnished, but it possesses a fine chamber organ.
There is a delightful avenue of lime trees outside and the church stands near the Water of Ken, with wide views of the Rhinns of Kells. Interesting old kirkyard with the Gordon Aisle, dating to 1546, thee burial place of the Gordons of Lochinvar. There is also a memorial stone of Covenanter Alexander Gordon and several interesting 18th century headstones. Robert Burns fashioned his poem ‘Tam o’ Shanter’ on a local tale.
In a union with three other churches, known as Glenkens Church of Scotland. In the summer of 2025, Church of Scotland closure plans forced a vote between the congregations of Kells and St John’s Town of Dalry Parish Churches over which one of their kirks should close.
Services
Sundays at 10.00 am in the following rotation:
1st Sunday Balmaclellan
2nd and 4th Sundays Dalry
3rd Sunday Kells
If 5th Sunday in the month, service is in one of the other Churches in the Glenkens by rotation.
Opening Arrangements
Open by arrangement
Image Gallery
Click image to open gallery.
Dalry Parish Church, St John's Town of Dalry
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.