Kirk of Calder

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Kirk of Calder
Kirk of Calder, Mid Calder.jpg
Kirk of Calder, Mid Calder
Kirk of Calder
LocationMain Street, Mid Calder
Country United Kingdom
Denomination Church of Scotland
Website www.kirkofcalder.com
History
Founded1541
Founder(s)The Sandilands family (Lord Torphichen)
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade I
Years built1541 - 1863

Kirk of Calder is a medieval church in Mid Calder, West Lothian. It is listed as a Category A building by Historic Environment Scotland. [1] [2] The church is of Ashlar stone in a Gothic style. [2] The present Kirk dates from 1541 but was built on the site of an earlier 12th century church. [2]

Contents

History

Kirk of Calder manse - "Brewery House" Kirk of Calder manse - "Brewery House".jpg
Kirk of Calder manse - "Brewery House"

The church was originally intended to be far larger. It was begun in 1541 by Peter Sandilands, laird of the adjacent Calder House, [3] but only the choir from the original design was built by the time his nephew Sir John Sandilands "completed" the project in 1545. The west section of nave and entrance is absent. The belfry and transept was built in 1863 [3] [2] on the correct north-south axis, but the entrance is uniquely located in a small door at the re-entrant angle between the south transept and the choir. [4]

The church was certainly operational by the time of the Reformation in 1560. The parish was originally called "Calder Comitis" but in 1646 was split into Mid Calder and West Calder. [5] The separate parish of East Calder was originally called "Calder Clere" at this time. All were under the Presbytery of Linlithgow until 1884, when it became part of the Presbytery of Edinburgh. [6]

The manse to the east is generally known as "Brewery House". This appears to be a humorous reference to the defection of Rev Mackenzie, for whom the house was probably built/rebuilt c.1680, to the brewing trade. [4]

Inside the church, there is a carved wooden pew dated 1595. [2] The interior includes a stained glass memorial window (1895 by Hardman)) to James Young FRS ("Paraffin Young"). [3] [2]

Significant conservation work was undertaken in the early 1990s. [2]

Current status

The church remains an operational community church with weekly services. [7]

Ministers

The grave of Rev Dr John Sommers, Kirk of Calder The grave of Rev Dr John Sommers, Kirk of Calder.jpg
The grave of Rev Dr John Sommers, Kirk of Calder

Notable graves

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References

  1. ↑ Historic Environment Scotland. "Midcalder Village Mid Calder Parish Kirk (St. John's Church) Main Street (LB14144)" . Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Jaques and McKean (1 September 1994). West Lothian - An Illustrated Architectural Guide. Scotland: The Rutland Press. p. 100. ISBN   978-1873190258.
  3. 1 2 3 "Kirk of Calder (St John's Parish Church)". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  4. 1 2 Buildings of Scotland: Lothian; by Colin McWilliam
  5. ↑ Historic Environment Scotland. "West Calder , Old Parish Church And Graveyard (49099)". Canmore . Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  6. ↑ Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; by Hew Scott
  7. ↑ "Home". kirkofcalder.com.
  8. ↑ "The Calder Witches".
  9. ↑ "Ministers".
  10. ↑ "Popular West Lothian minister retires after 40 years". Daily Record. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.

55°53′24″N3°28′57″W / 55.89011°N 3.48252°W / 55.89011; -3.48252

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