Archaeology Notes

Event ID 723378

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/723378

NT63SW 20.00 61009 30373

NT63SW 20.01 Centred NT 61010 30364 Burial ground

NMRS REFERENCE

Parish Church, Maxton. St Cuthbert's Church of 'Mackistun' comes on record in the reign of William the Lion, (Tomus Primus, Liber de Melros 1837) but the present building has lost its mediaeval character as the result of enlargement and successive restorations culminating in the 19th century. It is oblong on plan apart from a transeptal aisle on the N; this has obviously replaced an earlier aisle in much the same position since its W wall partly covers a built-up archway. The only feature of architectural interest is the W entrance on the S side (see RCAHMS 1956, fig.405). This is a round-arched doorway with moulded archivolt, jambs, and imposts; the type originates about the middle of the 15th century, but this example may be as late as the early 17th century.

Bell.

In the belfry at the W end of the church hangs a bell from the well-known foundry at Middelburg in Holland. Measuring 19in in diameter at the mouth, it bears the following inscription SOLI DEO GLORIA JAN BURGERHUYS ME FECIT 1609.

Tombstones.

The graveyard contains (1) a small headstone commemorating IAMES RIDEL IN NEUTOUN, who died in 1656, and his wife who died in 1674;

(2) a recumbent slab bearing a marginal inscription, no longer legible, in lettering of the 17th century;

(3) two similar slabs, and some other illegible monuments, which probably belong to the late 17th or early 18th century.

RCAHMS 1956, visited 14 March and 28 May 1945.

EXTERNAL REFERENCE:

ORDNANCE SURVEY

This church, in use as a place of worship, is as described above.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 12 September 1962.