Church Overview

Built on the site of a 6th-century cell dedicated to St Birnius or St Brendan of Clonfert, this is a pre-Reformation church with several elaborate post-Reformation additions, that are visible both inside and out. The earliest surviving documentary record mentioning the church dates to 1127, with an almost unbroken list of incumbent clergy since 1361.

The two-stage bell tower and nave were built in 1470 and the Glengarnock Aisle was added in 1597. Architect Robert Snodgrass made significant interventions throughout the building in 1854-55 and Charles Stewart Still Johnston added the northern extension between 1903 and 1905 and the gabled organ chamber in 1910.

Its glorious interior is crowded with pews and splendid aisles and lofts, all with unique Renaissance-style carving. The sublime Crawford loft was built in 1642, with Corinthian columns to support a bowed canopy, both embellished with armorial panels. With its elaborately carved armorial bearings added in 1705, this loft is one of the most remarkable pieces of early 18th century woodwork to survive in a Scottish church.

The magnificent late 17th century polygonal pulpit, with its intricately carved sounding board, containing winged souls, angels, green men, a thistle and rose, and other motifs, is an incredible item to behold. A wonderful balcony was added 1903-05, to link the Crawford loft to the south wall, fronted with an incredible collection of richly carved panels echoing the style of the 17th century loft.

The sheer abundance of superb, richly adorned woodwork can feel a little overwhelming, so the delicate stained glass windows that light the building, adding colour to the scene, are a welcome addition. There are some heraldic windows by James Ballantine and Son and a beautiful war memorial window, from 1948, designed by Sydney Holmes and manufactured by Guthrie (J. & W.) & Andrew Wells, who also produced the Celtic Cross window in 1958. There are also windows by created by artists Gordon Webster and Arthur Spiers, installed in 1959 and 1990 respectively.

Memorial panels are also found throughout the church, including a reset stone plaque of 1594 recalling the lives of Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill and his wife Janet Ker of Kersland, whose mausoleum is situated in the graveyard outside, housing recumbent effigies of the pair. The kirkyard also contains a number of interesting 17th, 18th and (mainly) 19th century memorials.

This truly remarkable historic church sadly closed for worship in 2024, as part of the Church of Scotland’s nationwide rationalisation of their property portfolio. In late 2025, a local group emerged with the aspiration to purchase it for the benefit of the local community, hoping to raise the purchase price before the Church of Scotland markets the building in early 2026.

Church now Closed

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.