Dairsie Old Church

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]

Dairsie Old Church
Dairsie Church in the late 19th century, engraved by R W Billings
LocationDairsie, Fife, Scotland
GB grid reference NO413161
Coordinates56°20′0″N 2°56′58″W
Built1621
Built forJohn Spottiswoode
Listed Building – Category A
Official nameDairsie Old Church (St Mary's)
Designated1 March 1984
Reference no.LB2610
Location of Dairsie Old Church in Fife

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,[3] the congregation now using the former Free Church in Dairsie village.

References
  1. "Dairsie Old Church". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  2. Historic Environment Scotland. "DAIRSIE OLD CHURCH (ST MARY'S) FORMER SESSION HOUSE, CEMETERY WALLS AND GATEPIERS  (Category A Listed Building) (LB2610)". Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  3. "Dairsie Old Parish Church". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
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