Church Overview

This simple T-shaped kirk was built in 1638 to replace St Catherine’s Church, at Mull of Galloway, to become the parish church for the most southerly parish in Scotland. It has had some alterations over the years, including the addition of a bellcote, with its iron weathervane, in 1885 and a vestry in 1921.

The eyes of visitors are immediately drawn upwards to the coombed ceiling and decorative plaster roses over the sanctuary. Its original oil lamps are still located on either side of the pulpit and the fittings for other lamps can be seen around the building. A triangular timber panel with a carved inscription depicting the arms of the Adair family and dated 1618 also hangs on the wall. The church also houses the burial vault of the McDouall family of Logan, located underneath its balcony.

A bell from Clanyard Castle, a gift from the Earl of Dalhousie, marked 1534 is on show inside the church. For many years the church also displayed a 16th century ‘Treacle’ Bible, so-called because of an unusual translation of a Biblical verse that refers to “treacle at Gilead” rather than the more commonly used “balm”. This was sadly stolen from a display cabinet in 2018.

The church is often known as “Kirk Covenant” in reference to its construction in the year of the signing of the National Covenant. The graveyard outside has several fine 18th and 19th century gravestones, including one in the form of a lighthouse and a monument to Col James McDouall of Logan.

Faced with pending closure, as the Church of Scotland carried out a nationwide rationalisation of its property portfolio, a local charity was formed with a view to purchasing the building and turning it into a local heritage and community resource. The Kirkmaiden Old Kirk SCIO took formal possession of the historic church in June 2026.

Services

Occasional

Opening Arrangements

Open by arrangement

Image Gallery

Click image to open gallery.

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.