Church Overview

A church has believed to have existed on the present site since around 1150 and formally consecrated in 1241. The oldest part of the present Church was built on the original site in 1542 and the West extension added in 1863. The oldest gravestone in the churchyard is dated 1636, the organ is by James Conacher 1888. The church restoration won the West Lothian Award for Conservation in 1992 and the stained glass windows were restored in 1995. 

The Kirk was the site of several “witch” trials, with at least five local women persecuted under the Witchcraft Acts. Local organisation the Calder Witch Hunt holds regular events in the Kirk commemorating this historic injustice and the local victims of this mania are commemorated on a brass plaque in the vestry that was unveiled in 2023. 

Previous famous visitors to the Kirk have included John Knox, James ‘Paraffin’ Young, David Livingstone and Frederic Chopin. Today, the “Friends of Kirk of Calder” open the building for visitors on Sundays from 2-4pm from May to September. Admission is free, but donations towards the upkeep of this historic building would most certainly be appreciated. 

Services

Sunday: 10.30am

Opening Arrangements

Church open to public May to September, Sundays 2.00-4.00pm or by arrangement

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.