Archaeology Notes

Event ID 688599

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/688599

NO42SE 1.00 45542 21394

(NO 4555 2139) Church (NAT)

OS 6" map (1921).

NO42SE 1.01 NO 45542 21377 Churchyard

The chancel and apse of the parish church of Leuchars must be considered among the best of the few examples of Romanesque buildings in Scotland. the rest of the church is modern.

The chancel is almost square; the apse is ceiled with a vault, the timber roof above which was removed in the 17th century and replaced by a bell-turrett. The original masonry is of cubical ashlar. The "church of Lochres" appears among the possessions of the Priory of St. Andrews in a papal confirmation of 1187, but has no place in one of 1183. The possible period of erection would thus seem to be within the period 1183-87, and this date accords with the features of the structure.

While still in its original condition, it was dedicated by Bishop Bernham in 1244, but the record does not give the name of the saint, who is usually said to have been Athernaise or Erthernise.

D MacGibbon and T Ross 1896-7; RCAHMS 1933.

Leuchars church is as described above and is in use as a place of public worship.

Visited by OS (DS), 19 October 1956

Above report confirmed.

Visited by OS (RDL), 5 June 1964.