Johnstone Parish Church

Johnstone Parish Church is a 1733 church that was remodelled and enlarged in 1819 by Andrew Burnet, a mason, and further altered and added to in 1881 by James Barbour. The church is situated within its churchyard.

The church is constructed of rubble stone with rusticated quoins and round-arched openings, though these details were altered or newly constructed in the 19th century. An ashlar eaves course and cornice also feature. Originally rectangular in plan with yellow ashlar quoins and a splayed base course, the southern wall now consists of two bays. Additions extend across the entire northern wall in two stages. An earlier aisle, initially from the 18th century, was demolished, although some rusticated quoins remain visible below the session room stair and on a jamb of the 1819 addition. The second addition, likely dating to 1819, creates an L-shaped church layout, extending the west elevation to three bays. A central doorway from 1819 has been converted into a window with a dated arch, potentially re-set by Barbour. A square, full-height addition with a pyramidal roof was built in 1819, adjoined to the northeast. This addition features a basket-arched hearse house at ground level, a session house above, and a birdcage belfry (with a bell dated 1917) atop the east wallhead. A low, flat-roofed porch and vestry, likely by Barbour, fill the re-entrant angle to the southeast. Other rooflines are piended and clad in slate.

The interior, also by Barbour, follows a layout broadly consistent with the 1819 arrangement. Original woodwork is found in the session house addition. A low, hexagonal pulpit stands in the southwest re-entrant angle. A gallery at the east, originally with a panelled front supported by two cast-iron columns, is now enclosed to form an upper room. A bell in the vestibule is said to be from Lochwood Tower.

The churchyard is a quadrangular enclosure defined by ashlar-coped rubble-built walls, incorporating a gate with rusticated square piers along the east wall. The churchyard contains predominantly 18th and 19th century stone monuments, some of considerable size and featuring classical details. The building remains in use as a place of worship.