Publication Account
Date 1985
Event ID 1016209
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Publication Account
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1016209
Lauder's parish church displays a most unusual form. Neither T-shaped nor rectangular, it is centrally planned-a Greek cross with four equal arms spreading from a central crossing, above which four pointed arches carry the central tower. Square to the length of the roof-ridge, this tower thereafter is octagonal. In the centre of the church, beneath the tower, stands the pulpit
The north gable is dated 1673, when it was built by Sir William Bruce for the Duke of Lauderdale who simply requested that it be "decent and large enough, with a handsom litle steeple". It has a strong vernacular character, and though repaired in 1822 and again in 1864, remains one of the best-preserved centrally planned churches in Scotland. When built, at least two of the arms contained lofts; and there was an altar in the eastern arm. The ruined watch-house in the churchyard is considerably younger, however, built after a body-snatching raid in 1830.
A few kilometres north of Laud er, just west of the A G8 and astride the line of the Roman road, lies the church at Channelkirk (NT 481545)-a light and airy building in a perpendicular Gothic style. Rectangular in shape, and with an attractive acanthus-ornamented belfrey, its "chief eyesore is the architectural tumour.... which the inside stair leading to the gallery has swollen outwards for its own relief'! It was built in 1841, along with manse and garden, to replace an earlier church. The burial ground contains a number of interesting earlier stones, including two from the second/third quarter of the 18th century displaying somewhat roughly sculpted but remarkably detailed figure carvings.
Information from 'Exploring Scotland's Heritage: Lothian and Borders', (1985).
