Yester Parish Church

Yester Parish Church is a church of the Church of Scotland in the village of Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland. The village forms part of Yester, Bolton and Saltoun parish, and is a linked charge with Humbie Parish Church.

Yester Parish Church
DenominationChurch of Scotland
ChurchmanshipReformed
WebsiteYester, Bolton and Saltoun Church website
Administration
ParishYester, Bolton and Saltoun
PresbyteryLothian
Yester Church and the village war memorial, Gifford, East Lothian
Interior, Yester Parish Church

History and design

Several church buildings have been used during the history of the parish. The earliest record of a church in the area (St Bathan's Chapel) is from 1241. Its ruins lie in the woods beside Yester House, to the south-west of the village centre. A church also once stood at Duncanlaw, a former settlement to the south-east of the main village.

The present building dates to 1708, and stands towards the north of the village, at the main road junction, just behind the village war memorial. The church is a Category A listed building.[1]

Notable graves

John Witherspoon

Rev. John Witherspoon was born in Gifford manse in 1723, the son of Rev. James Alexander Witherspoon, the local minister. John Witherspoon emigrated and became a major leader of the Presbyterian Church in America. He was the only clergyman to sign the United States Declaration of Independence.

See also

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "YESTER PARISH KIRK WITH HEARSE HOUSE AND PIERS, GATES AND GRAVEYARD WALLS (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND)  (Category A Listed Building) (LB14697)". Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  • Yester Parish and Church - Leaflet for Visitors, Gifford, 2001

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