Dairsie Old Church

Dairsie Old Church
Dairsie Church in the late 19th century, engraved by R W Billings
Location Dairsie, Fife, Scotland
GB grid reference NO413161
Coordinates 56°20′0″N 2°56′58″W / 56.33333°N 2.94944°W / 56.33333; -2.94944Coordinates: 56°20′0″N 2°56′58″W / 56.33333°N 2.94944°W / 56.33333; -2.94944
Built 1621
Built for John Spottiswoode
Listed Building – Category A
Official name: Dairsie Old Church (St Mary's)
Designated 1 March 1984
Reference no. 2610
Official name: Dairsie, church
Designated 29 october 1969
Reference no. 788
Location of Dairsie Old Church in Fife

Dairsie Old Church, formerly St Mary's Church, is the former parish church of Dairsie, in north-east Fife, Scotland. It is located around 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) south of Dairsie village. The present church was built in 1621, and is an unusual example of post-Reformation Gothic architecture in Scotland.[1] It is no longer in use as a church, and is protected as a Category A listed building,[2] and as a scheduled ancient monument.[3]

History

A church at Dairsie is recorded in 1183.[1] In 1300 the church was granted to the Convent of St Andrews; it may have been rebuilt at this time.[1]

In 1621, the present church was built by John Spottiswoode (1565–1639), Archbishop of St Andrews, who had recently bought the adjacent Dairsie Castle. The Spottiswoode family crest, with John Spottiswoode's initials, is carved over the west door.[2]

In the late 18th century the original flat roof was replaced with the present piend (hipped) roof. A major refit was carried out in 1835–1837, including works to the interior, although most of this has since been removed.[2]

Ecclesiastical use of the church ceased in 1966,[4] the congregation now using the former Free Church in Dairsie village.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Dairsie Old Church". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  2. 1 2 3 "Dairsie Old Church (St Mary's), Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  3. ↑ "Certificate of Service of Notice... Affecting a disused church at Dairsie in the county of Fife". Scottish Development Department (Ancient Monuments). 29 October 1969. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  4. ↑ "Dairsie Old Parish Church". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
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