Airth, Old Parish Church
Church (Medieval) - (Post Medieval)
Site Name Airth, Old Parish Church
Classification Church (Medieval) - (Post Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Airth Old Church
Canmore ID 48068
Site Number NS98NW 12
NGR NS 90035 86854
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/48068
- Council Falkirk
- Parish Airth
- Former Region Central
- Former District Falkirk
- Former County Stirlingshire
NS98NW 12.00 90035 86854
NS98NW 12.01 90034 86876 Churchyard
(NS 90035 86854) Church (NR) (rems of)
OS 6"map, (1966)
A church existed at Airth at least as early as 1128, at about which date it was granted to Holyrood Abbey by David I, but the earliest part of the existing complex of remains of Transitional in style and dates only from the later years of the 12th century. The structure of this period stood in the W part of the body of the existing church. It has a N nave-aisle, and its nave may have extended about as far E as the tower. The Airth Aisle was added in the 15th century, the Elphinstone Aisle in 1593, and the Bruce Aisle in 1614. So far the early church had probably served as the nucleus for the additions, but a major reconstruction took place in the mid-17th century, everything E of the Bruce and Airth Aisles, including the tower, being added.
The church was abandoned in 1820, when it was replaced by the North Church (NS88NE 34).
RCAHMS 1963.
The remains are as described and planned. They are now in a dangerous state.
Visited by OS (J P) 17 January 1974.
REFERENCE:
SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE
Repair of Church and Manse. Lord Elphinstone's portion due to James Logan, mason.
1701 GD 156/Box37/3
Field Visit (July 1977)
Airth, Old Parish Church NS 900 868 NS98NW 12
Church in existence by 1128; oldest surviving portion is of late 12th-century date; it was largely reconstructed in the mid-17th century and abandoned in 1820. Churchyard has tombstones of 17th- to 19th-century date.
RCAHMS 1978, visited July 1977
(RCAHMS 1963, pp. 143-8, No. 137)