Parish Church Of St Mary And Churchyard, Kirkton Of Auchterhouse

Parish Church of St Mary and Churchyard, Kirkton of Auchterhouse

This rectangular-plan church with chancel and sealed burial vault at the east end and a square entrance tower at the west was largely rebuilt in 1775, though it incorporates parts of a 15th-century and early 17th-century building. The structure was re-cast and repaired in 1910 by James W Mackison. The church is constructed of ashlar and coursed squared rubble at the south elevation, east gable and tower, with Aberdeen bond at the north elevation and partially at the west gable. The roof is covered in grey slate.

The west gable contains a two-stage tower advanced at the centre. The doorway at ground level is set above the base course and flanked by modern metal handrails, featuring a two-leaf door with a roll-moulded doorcase with blocks at the base and head of jamb, and a blinded keystoned round-headed fanlight above the lintel. A band course runs at first-floor level, with the upper stage slightly stepped back. A door at first-floor level on the right return breaks through the band course and is approached by an oversailing forestair with plain metal handrail. A boarded chamfered opening is positioned at the west elevation. Square-headed louvred belfry openings are set above on the north, south and west sides. A corbelled cornice supports a stone sweeping pyramidal roof with base, annulet and cap that is late 17th-century in form, topped with a prominent weathercock. The main gable at the left has a window at ground floor.

The south elevation displays a six-bay nave on the left with five windows. These are square-headed, margined and rebated at the arrises for shutters, with some pins remaining and 12-pane sash-and-case glazing. A blinded doorway, probably 17th-century, is positioned in the second bay from the left and features a moulded doorcase and keystoned segmental arch with blocks at the base and moulded imposts. The lower chancel recesses to the right and comprises three bays. A door at off-centre left is approached by steps flanked by modern metal handrails, with a moulded doorcase probably dating to the 15th century and featuring elaborately moulded jambs and an inward sloping splay at the base. Two-light windows are positioned at the left and right of the chancel. An eroded sundial with the deflector missing is set at the top right. A cavetto eaves course runs across the chancel. Paired Tudor-arched windows are positioned at the south elevation of the chancel. Moulded bargeboards are present, and a cavetto eaves course runs across the north and south elevations of the chancel.

The east gable features a small blocked chamfered opening to the crypt at the centre bottom. A tombstone is affixed to the wall above ground level at the right. A sunken sundial is positioned at the top left. Two corbels are set at the top centre; one is dated 1630 and one bears a fleur-de-lis and an eroded inscription reading 'Ave Maria'.

The north elevation has a blank nave at the right. The chancel at the left features a later lean-to and tall brick stack.

Interior

The nave has boarded dado with plaster above and a flat ceiling with moulded cornice and consoled beams. A door screen, pews, pulpit and communion table all date to 1910. A 15th-century moulded Gothic chancel arch is preserved. Fielded wainscot panelling in the chancel was formed from 18th-century box pews in 1910. A medieval octagonal pillar font is present. An Act of Parliament clock, circa 1797, by James Ivory of Dundee, hangs at the west wall. A repentance stool with new seat is located in the chancel. A Second World War memorial is positioned on the north wall, and a Valentine memorial on the west wall. A stained glass memorial window on the south chancel wall commemorates Rev W Mason Inglis (minister 1878–1912). A stained glass memorial window on the west wall commemorates Rev J Kirkland Cameron (minister 1912–1942) and is by A L Russell. A bell inscribed 'Parish of Auchterhouse 1834' is present. The roof is a kingpost design with some numbered timbers.

Churchyard

Rubble boundary walls run along the north, south, east and west sides. Ashlar gatepiers at the north and south feature moulded tracery caps. Gateposts at the northeast are formed from moulded tracery. Tombstones from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries are scattered throughout. Three early 19th-century burial enclosures on the west wall are constructed of droved ashlar with corniced rear walls featuring open pediments and side panels, and incorporate cast-iron railings.

Historical Context

The medieval Gothic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which may have resembled the church at Fowlis Easter, was largely demolished and replaced in 1630. This second building underwent extensive rebuilding in 1775. The burial vault—formerly the Buchan, then Airlie aisle and burial place—the chancel arch, the doorway, and the tracery at various gatepiers probably derive from the earlier building. The nave door likely dates to 1630. Two mort cloths remain, and there are remnants of what may be a medieval font or holy water stoop in the attic. The branks formerly kept at the church are now held by the National Museums of Scotland. The tower roof echoes late 17th-century examples such as that at Old College, Glasgow (demolished).