Description

1722, T-plan, Gothic church with tower, and 18th century
Balfour Aisle added to N jamb, and Buchan-Sydserff
burial enclosure set in re-entrant angle to E; S wall and
pointed windows added 1821. Red rubble sandstone and
coursed rubble to tower. Deeply chamfered reveals to
1821 work. Eaves cornice and crenellated parapet and
skews. Pointed arch openings, some with hoodmoulds.
TOWER: 4-stage, advanced and dominating W gable;
diagonal buttresses and cill courses; doorway with double
boarded doors, decorative hinges; Y-traceried window
above. 2 upper stages with louvred openings, some
paired. Bell of 1610 by Burgerhuys. Diagonal
buttresses with tall pinnacles and crocketted finials.
S ELEVATION: 4-bay, Y-traceried windows.
E ELEVATION: advanced, gabled clergy vestry, 1821, with
doorway in re-entrant angle to S. Modern brick
piend-roofed boiler house to N. Cross finials.
N JAMB: 2 bays deep with window to right, and porch to
left of W side; square, crenellated porch with mannered
surround to doorway and short flight of steps. Blocked
opening below tall window of jamb.
BALFOUR AISLE: advanced form N gable of N jamb, 2-bays
deep; red ashlar sandstone with base and cill courses,
and deep, wide crenellation to parapet; 2 blind
Y-traceried windows with chamfered reveals to W side,
divided by buttress. Diagonal buttresses to N end with
hoodmoulded doorway, studded door. Tall pinnacles with
crocketted finials.
BUCHAN-SYDSERFF ENCLOSURE: ashlar facade to E with base
course, entablature, dentilled cornice and balustrade with
dies and urn finials; Ionic pilasters flanking doorway and
to angles. "Buchan-Sydserff of Ruchlaw Family Burial
Ground" incised over doorway. Coursed rubble blank
wall to N.
Diamond-pane glazing pattern with border. Grey slates.
INTERIOR: T-plan arrangement retained with centre aisles.
Flagstones. White-washed walls and ceiling. Pitch pine
seating, 1876. Pulpit and reredos of later date with cusp
carving. Lectern and Communion Table detailed similarly.
Hoodmoulded doorways to E and W ends with foliate label
stops; boarded doors, decorative hinges. Wall memorials.
GRAVEYARD WALLS AND GATEPIERS: rubble walls with
semi-circular coping, partly broken down to N; square
gatepiers to W entrance; timber gates. Some fine early
gravestones, including selection of table-tombs and
swan-necked 18th century gravestones.

Statement of Interest

Former church manse to SW, not included in current listing.

Joined with Parish of Stenton. Contents of Balfour aisle

have not yet been revealed. The retention of the T-plan

interior and white-wash is noteworthy.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17793643

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)