Historic Scotland - Stewarton

DESCRIPTION:
Dated 1696, with later alterations in 1723, 1775, and 1825 (see Notes). Now roughly
Greek cross-plan church with unusual off centre bell tower to W and pair of advanced 2and
3-bay gabled aisles to S. Sandstone rubble with some raised, ashlar margins. Later,
single-storey porch and vestry extensions.
WEST ELEVATION: gable with advanced, off:centre corniced bell-tower with square-plan
belfry supported by corner columns with bell and surmounted by dome, conical pinnacle
and finial Triangular window to ground.
Above; plaque with carved Y representing local legend (see Notes); date of 1696 and
clock. Predominantly margined metal fixed windows. Some stained glass. Skews.
Wallhead stack.
INTERIOR:
Last seen in 2008. Good cohesive, largely 19th century interior with timber pews. High
quality decoratively carved pulpit, font, communion table and organ case. 4-panel timber
doors. Staircases with metal balusters and timber banisters. Timber gallery to E and W,
supported by iron columns. Number of 19th and 20th century stained glass windows. Pair
of windows on either side of the pulpit represent Dorcas and St Paul.
CHURCHYARD:
predominantly 18th and 19th century gravestones. Some decorative carvings to
headstones; one iron recumbent gravestone; ashlar lair to N (in disrepair).
BOUNDARY WALLS:
coped rubble walls to N, S, E and W.
REFERENCES:
1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1854-8. S Milligan, Old Stewarton, Dunlop and Lugton,
2001, p15. Rob Close, Ayrshire and Arran, An Illustrated Architectural Guide, 1992, p
120. George Hay, The Architecture of Post-Reformation Churches, 1957 p250. John
Sinclair. The Statistical Account of Scotland, 1793, Vo19 p379. Other information from
members of the church.
NOTES:
Place of worship in use as such. This was the only church in Stewarton until
the 19th century and it is an important part of the history of the town. Later
alterations and additions have changed the plan-from considerably and
resulted in the bell tower assuming its off:centre form. The core of the church
dates to the late 17th century, and includes the crow stepped aisle to the South
and the distinctive bell tower. The kirk yard is the original burial place for the
town and continued to be the only one until the beginning of the 20th century.
It contains some 18th century headstones and also some lairs used by the
50