Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Event ID 562600
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/562600
The East Church, also known as Gordon United Free Church, occupies a prominent position at the east side of Gordon village on the road to Greenlaw. The church was built in 1843 following the Disruption in the Church of Scotland. This building was simply designed, being rectangular on plan with three arched windows on the long wall.
In 1893, a two-storeyed porch and belfry were added to the east end of the church. These were designed to have a medieval character, with crowstepped gables used on the porch, and the wrought-iron porch gates have the character of a yett, a defensive feature found in medieval castles and tower-houses. Both the porch and belfry were built in pink sandstone that contrasts with the whinstone used in the main body of the church. Rising above the porch is a circular bell-tower with a 'pepper-pot' roof. At one time, the bell-tower featured a four-sided clock which was visible throughout the village.
In 1986 the church building was sold, and many of its original fittings gifted to the congregation of the Church of Scotland at St Michael's. The building was converted into a private residence in 1994.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
