Kirkbean Church And Churchyard

Kirkbean Church is a T-plan church built in 1776, incorporating an earlier church as its east jamb. The design was by William Craik of Arbigland. In 1835, the upper section of the three-stage central square tower on the west wall was rebuilt in red ashlar by Walter Newall of Dumfries. Further renovations took place between 1881 and 1883, based on plans by Samuel Hunter, Joiner.

The exterior is mostly harled with painted margins and features tall, round-headed windows with keystones and small panes. The tower has a band at the impost level of the round-headed north-facing doorway, a thermal window above, a clock within a painted rubble section of the second stage, and a corniced octagonal belfry stage with alternate round-headed openings that are louvered. Above the belfry sits a facetted dome with a birdcage cap. The east window is partly blocked by a boiler room and is flanked by narrow lights arranged in a Venetian window style, which is mirrored on the interior with pilasters and entablatures. Other walls feature square-headed spandrels and tall windows above the main door. A granite porch fronting the north wall was added by Hunter. The roof is covered with graded slates.

The interior, described as "gutted, altered and re-seated anew" between 1881 and 1883, has splayed window reveals with moulded arches. Behind the communion table are two doors with Gothic panels above. The church contains an octagonal pulpit, box pews in the south transept aisle, and an octagonal pedestal font with bronze plaques. These plaques were presented by the U.S. Navy on 6 July 1945 in memory of John Paul Jones.

The churchyard is quadrangular and enclosed by rubble-built walls and square gatepiers. The gatepiers have an ashlar cope and war memorial plaques with ball finials. The churchyard contains several good 18th and 19th century stone monuments, including the tomb of John Paul, the father of John Paul Jones. The building remains in ecclesiastical use.