Church Overview

The somewhat imposing rectangular church was constructed in 1830-31 to designs by architect William Stirling of Dunblane. It has white stucco walls, with stone margins, and an octagonal spired bell-cote. There is a small ogee-arched porch and a touch of the Perpendicular Gothic in the Y-tracery in the windows, both of which interventions may have been the work of the architectural firm of Henry Bell Wesley Steele and Andrew Balfour, who recast the church’s interior in 1894.

Its late 19th century refurbishment also witnessed the removal of the galleries on either side of the sanctuary and the reconstruction of the south gallery. Steele and Balfour also formed a chancel in the north end of the building, lining it with Gothic panelling behind the new pulpit and other furnishings. A Norman & Beard pipe organ was installed in 1913. The font was gifted in 1904 by local stonemason James McGregor, who was the great-great grandfather of Scottish actor Ewan McGregor.

The church also possesses some wonderful stained glass windows by the celebrated firm of William Morris & Co. The first dates from 1917 and utilises old designs by Edward Burne-Jones, the other, from 1937, uses designs by Burne-Jones and Henry Dearle. There is also a fine window by James Steel & Co that was installed following the Steele and Balfour refurbishment. The kirk also houses other historic artefacts, including a ‘joug collar’, into which the kirk session would once have manacled for public humiliation and punishment members of the congregation deemed to have broken its rules.

Against the east end of the church, in the kirkyard outside, is the burial enclosure of the Campbells of Monzie. The burial ground also contains several interesting 17th-19th century memorials, including a rare headstone with a Gaelic inscription, marking the burial place of Anna and Catherine MacGregor.

The congregation formed a union with the congregations of Fowlis Wester, Gask and Madderty Churches in 2018, taking the collective name of Mid Strathearn Parish.

Services

Check church website for service times

Opening Arrangements

Open 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.