Church Overview

Part of the church dates to 1595-96, one of the very first new kirks to be built after the Scottish Reformation. Substantially rebuilt and remodelled in 1774, 1891 and 1911. Worn tablet above doorway once contained inscription mentioning landowner George Hamilton of Preston Tower and Rev John Davidson, its first minister who built the church at his own expense, and a nearby manse and schoolhouse.

Round arched windows and gabled upper storey containing the laird’s loft. Burial vault and aisle, for Prestongrange family. Ingram of Edinburgh organ of 1898 now blocks entrance to aisle. Contains several interesting 18th century hatchments and items belonging to the now defunct local Fisherman’s Society. Session house contains late 17th – early 18th century hand-painted mortification panels, commemorating acts of charity by local individuals. 

Very interesting grave memorials in the kirkyard, containing memento mori and trade symbols of the late 17th and early 18th century, some have been relocated in mid 19th around walls and near session house. One particularly noteable, but badly worn stone marks the grave of a Hanoverian officer who fell at the battle of Prestonpans.

Preston Church and the Grange Free Church amalgamated in 1981 to form Prestongrange in current building. Former Free Church now called the Lighthouse Community Hub, located on nearby West Loan.

Services

11 am every Sunday and 9.30 am 1st Sunday in the month

Opening Arrangements

By arrangement.  Key Holder church officer Ian Ness 01875 814848

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.