Church Overview

This handsome little Gothic kirk, set on a mound close to the Union Canal, opened as “Winchburgh and Niddry Mission Church” on the 7th June 1891. Winchburgh became a full Parish Church (“quoad sacra“) in its own right in 1904 and its congregation agreed to a union with South Abercorn Church in 1947. 

Its war memorial, pulpit, baptismal font, pulpit, prayer desk, lectern and various other pieces of furniture were designed and installed in 1921 by well-known Scottish architect Peter MacGregor Chalmers, at the same time as he fitted out a new vestry for the kirk. Much of furniture was actually crafted by local joiners to Chalmers’ designs, with every piece dedicated to the memory of the 39 local residents who gave their lives during World War One. 

The kirk also possesses a particularly striking stained glass window by noted Scottish artist Gordon Webster. Installed in the chancel in 1932, it portrays the Ascension of Christ to Heaven and was gifted in memory of the Rev. Hugh Armstrong who was minister of Winchburgh from 1897 to 1930. 

Originally designed to seat 300  worshippers, the building’s interior was substantially refurbished some years ago, with its wooden pews replaced by moveable seats, improving accessibility to the church and the overall flexibility of the community space inside.

After a further series of successive local unions over the years, on 1st of February 2024, Winchburgh formally united with three neighbouring congregations to form the combined parish of Abercorn, Pardovan, Kingscavil and Winchburgh. The historic Abercorn Kirk was sold in March 2025 to the Hopetoun Estate.

Services

Sundays at 11.30 am

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.