Historic Scotland - Stewarton

families in the area. As the only burial place in Stewarton in the 18th and 19th
centuries, the Kirk yard has great local historical significance.
The church is probably built on the site of the former church in Stewarton which was run
by the Abbey of Kilwinning. This current church was constructed in 1696 as the Laigh
Kirk and the elements remaining from this time include the bell-tower, which was in the
centre of the old church and the Corsehill Aisle. The church was gradually extended over
the years and dates on the interior mark these phases in 1730, 1773 and 1825. In 1772
the roof was removed and the walls heightened.
The timber floors were added in the late 1860s, when other interior alterations may have
been done. In 1913, the single-storey vestry to the North was added. The organ installed
in the early20th century. The clock on the bell-tower was manufactured in Stewarton.
The church changed its name from the Laigh Kirk to St Columba's when it
united with Cairns United Free Church in Stewarton in 1962. Some stained glass
windows from the Cairns church were installed into this church and the Lainshaw gallery
to the South was converted into a small chapel.
The Y fork on the bell-tower represents the motto of the Cunningham’s 'overfork over' .
The legend describes how Malcolm Canmore was fleeing South from Macbeth, King of
Scotland who wanted to kill him. Malcolm took refuge in a barn at the estate of Corsehill,
just outside Stewarton and called to the farmer to 'over fork over' and the :farmer
covered him with hay and Macbeth did not find him.
List description updated as part of Stewarton Burgh resurvey, 2009.
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