Kilwinning Old Parish Church
Address: 87 Main Street , Kilwinning , KA13 6AW
Local Authority: North Ayrshire
Listing: B
WEBSITE
Church Overview
Church built in 1774 by John Garland and John Wright with the tower by David Hamilton, 1815. Known as the Abbey Tower, it is a free-standing clock tower in the purlieu of the ruins of Kilwinning Abbey, built to replace the Mediaeval tower which collapsed in 1813. In its belfry are the Town Bell and ‘the wee bell’ which is rung for Sunday Services at the kirk. The church on the site of the Abbey, founded in 1188, replaced the first Reformation church built in 1590. The organ built by Forster; Andrews of Hull was first played in 1897 and is highly regarded having been awarded a Grade One Historic Organ Certificate by the British Institute of Organ Studies. There are eleven beautiful stained glass windows reflecting different messages from the Old and New Testaments. The church has strong links with the Earls of Eglinton who in the past would appoint its ministers. They had there own gallery in the in the Church for the Sunday services. The Church is a Destination Hub on the St Ninian Pilgrim Journey.
Services
Sundays 10.30am
Opening Arrangements
Open by arrangement
Guides by arrangement. Short history and guide to stained glass windows.
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.