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Kirkandrews Church is a popular local venue for christenings, weddings and other services, and is available for use by all denominations. It is especially well-attended at Christmas carol services, when the fire and candles are lit and there are often as many people standing as sitting inside. The church is owned by a charity, the Kirkandrews Kirk Trust, which exists to restore the church and to maintain it for the benefit of the local community.
Almost all of Kirkandrews Church is original. The architect was probably G.H. Higginbottom, Manchester, who designed several of James Brown's other buildings. Whimsical features, such as the turret that conceals the chimney, are typical of his work. James Brown's support for the Arts and Crafts Movement is reflected in his choice of craftsmen, including cabinet-maker Frank Hallows, Hulme, and coppersmith James Smithies, Wilmslow, Cheshire.
In addition to its unusual architecture, Kirkandrews Church has several other notable features, including a chimneypiece with a round-arched fireplace and a castellated lintel, decorative wood panelling and columns, and windows of Norman Slab glass, first manufactured by the Chance Brothers in the 1890s and typically used in the backgrounds of Arts and Crafts stained glass at the turn of the century. The only significant addition to the original fabric is the relief sculpture of the patron saint, St Andrew, made by a local artist, Jemma Montagu, in 1993. This replaced the original sandstone plaque which had become eroded by damp.
The first phase of the restoration programme will be to repair the roof and rainwater disposal. This needs to be done urgently, to prevent further damage to the rest of the building, before further repairs are undertaken. The second phase will involve extensive repairs to the external stonework, the windows and door. Then, work will be done on the interior of the building, including the decorative stonework and woodwork. Finally, once work on the church itself is complete, the lychgate and boundary wall will be repaired. Access for disabled and elderly people will be improved, by making a new entrance to the grounds of the church. The aim is to carry out a thorough programme of restoration which will safeguard the fabric and contents of Kirkandrews Church for many years to come.
All contributions, large or small, to support the restoration and upkeep of Kirkandrews Church will be most gratefully received. Cheques, in sterling, made out to Kirkandrews Kirk Trust, may be sent to Mrs Elizabeth Brown, Hon. Secretary, Kirkandrews Kirk Trust, Fishercroft, Borgue, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4UD, Scotland.
Kirkandrews was a stronghold of the Solemn League and Covenant in the 17th century and several parishioners were executed for opposing the appointment of bishops. A notable stone in the nearby graveyard is that of the Covenanter Robert McWhae, who was "barbarously shot to death" in 1685 for his beliefs. The stone itself is a 19th century replica.
Despite the Covenanters' religious fervour, Kirkandrews was also known for its St Lawrence Fair, on 9th August each year, which was notorious for a wild form of horse-racing and was condemned by the local minister as "a time of great lechery and lewdness and should be suppressed". (By coincidence, one of James Brown's great-grandsons was married at Kirkandrews on 9th August 1997.) Kirkandrews was united with the neighbouring parish of Senwick in 1670, to form the parish of Borgue.
In the 19th century, Borgue was a prosperous farming parish, with over a thousand inhabitants, many more than at the present day (more information). The poet and musician William Nicholson, "the Bard of Galloway", was buried at Kirkandrews in 1849. At one time, his work was nearly as highly acclaimed as that of Robert Burns, but it has only recently been rescued from obscurity.
James Brown bought the Knockbrex estate, including Kirkandrews, in 1894. Although he lived in Manchester and ran his business there, he had family roots in south-west Scotland. He carried out many improvements, including building the church and several other houses, and is buried in front of the church. A large part of the estate was sold, mainly to its tenants, between 1920 and 1950.
Nowadays, Kirkandrews is well-known for its scenery and its wildlife, especially flowers, birds and marine life, as well as for its unique buildings. The coastline of Borgue, including Kirkandrews, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Telephone: 01557 870214
Donations towards the restoration of Kirkandrews Church should be sent to Elizabeth Brown at the address above. Mrs Brown can also assist you if you wish to hold a service at Kirkandrews, including christenings and weddings.
E-mail to Kirkandrews Kirk Trust
Kirkandrews Kirk Trust: Scottish Charity no. SC027744, Tax reference
CR46093
Text and photographs © Kirkandrews Kirk Trust. Drawing ©
Rachel Simpson.