Church Overview

A church, dedicated to St Inan or St Ninian and known as Kilennan existed at Parton at least as early as 1296, but is believed to have been established long before this date. That medieval church was rebuilt in 1534 and the ruins of this 16th century building stand today in the churchyard of the current kirk. This bold, three bay, rectangular neo-Gothic church, with its three stage battlemented tower on its north gable, was built 1832-34 to the designs of noted Scottish architect Walter Newall.

The interior was remodelled in 1894, with new seating installed, cathedral-tinted coloured glass added to the windows and other changes made to its layout. A coved plaster ceiling sits above the sanctuary, divided by chunky wooden beams that spring from Tudor style stone corbels with attractive floriated circular mouldings at the intersections. Most of the furnishings date from the refurbishment or the early 20th century, but some original box pews have survived in the north east corner.

There is an interesting monument to an Ebbie Gray on the west wall of the sanctuary and a fragment of an early 16th century stone effigy of a priest has been placed for safe-keeping in the porch. The kirkyard outside contains many interesting 17th-19th century memorials and is is the burial place of scholar William Macmath, who saved many old Border ballads for posterity, and of James Clerk Maxwell, the eminent Scottish physicist and mathematician.

The congregation linked with that of Crossmichael Parish Church in 1961 and went into a formal union in 1989. During a period of rationalisation of its nationwide property portfolio, the decision was taken by the local presbytery in March 2026 to approve the sale of both Parton and Crossmichael Churches. Having been considering their options for a number of years, the local community have been given exclusivity to purchase the building at full market value until the 1st of November 2026. If successful, their plan is to develop the church as the “Clerk Maxwell Science and Community Centre”.  

Services

9.30 or 11.00 am on 1st Sunday of the month

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.