Church Overview

The earliest known Christian site in Carluke was established on the banks of the Clyde at Mauldslie. The lands there were known as Abbeysteads and the church was known as the “Forest Kirk” and is perhaps the church referred to by William Wallace biographer Blind Harry as the site at which Wallace was declared Guardian of Scotland in 1297. This building was replaced, at some point in the 14th or 15th century, by St Luke’s Church, of which only its later-added, distinctive early 18th century bell tower now survives in the town’s old cemetery.

St Luke’s had become Carluke Parish Church at the Reformation and continued in use until around 1800, when it was replaced by a new parish church that had been built to the designs of engineer Henry Bell. A few years later, in 1812, Bell would go on to achieve lasting fame as the pioneer responsible for the Paddle Steamer Comet, the first successful passenger steamship service in Europe, and St Andrew’s would be his only known building.  

Work began on the new church in 1799 and it would be built for a total cost of £950. It incorporated two architectural features from the old church, an archway entrance and a carved window frame. Its original spire did not last long, being destroyed by a lightning strike in 1801 and was replaced in 1820. Further significant alterations and additions to the building took place in 1890, 1912 and 1931. Carluke Parish Church was renamed St Andrew’s Parish Church in 1929, following the reunification of the United Free Church of Scotland and the Church of Scotland, while the other two Presbyterian churches in the town formally adopted the names Kirkton Parish Church and St John’s Parish Church.  

The church possesses a Henry Willis and Sons pipe organ, that was installed in 1903, several interesting stained glass windows, including one from 1932 by noted artist Gordon Webster and a pulpit fall and companion communion table runner by Marilyn E W McGregor from 1999.

In 2001, the congregation installed a peaceful memorial garden outside the church, naming it the ‘Garden of Hope’, and in 2012 the St Andrew’s Dementia Hub was established, providing support and care for individuals living with the condition and those that care for them. In September 2024, the congregations of St Andrew’s and St John’s churches in Carluke formally united and established a new unitary “Forest Kirk” congregation.

Services

Last Sunday of the month at 11am

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.