Church Overview

The church stands at the top of the main street of the pretty village of Gifford and is a significant feature of the townscape. The building was probably designed by James Smith, finished 1710 but altered in 1830.

A white harled T-plan church with round-headed windows, square tower and slated spire. Its 1709 weather vane is in the form of a heron by William Brown of Edinburgh. The church bell came from the current building’s medieval predecessor, the “Old Church of Bothans” and dates to 1492. Yester has a remarkably unspoilt interior with wooden pews and galleries. The canopied pulpit dates from the 17th-century and is fitted with a bracket to hold the baptismal basin.

Perhaps the most famous figures connected with the church were James Witherspoon (minister from 1720) and his son, John Witherspoon who became President of Princeton College, New Jersey, and was the only minister to sign the American Declaration of Independence. The former’s fine table-slab gravestone is one of many notable 18th century tombstones in the adjacent kirkyard.

Services

Sunday: 11.00am

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.