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Archaeology Notes
Event ID 800487
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/800487
NT07SE 4 05981 72211.
See also NT07SE 112
(NT 0597 7220) The parish church of Uphall, anciently Strathbrock, was dedicated to St Nicholas. It is a much altered 12th century building, the chancel being extended in the 13th century. The Shairp aisle was added in 1620, and other additions made in 1644 and 1878. The building was completely renovated and restored in 1937-8, to expose the medieval features of the building.
A 15th century font, found c.1784 when digging a foundation for a pillar within Uphall church, is now at the RC chapel (see NT07SE 112, NT 0786 7224).
Jougs used to be fixed to the church wall a little W of the SW doorway. G Hay 1957; I G Lindsay 1948; H Scott 1961; RCAHMS 1929, visited 1926;
J Primrose 1898; SDD List 1964
The church is as described and in normal use. The font is in use at the RC church.
Visited by OS (DWR) 5 March 1974
The font which is now situated within the Roman Catholic Church (NT07SE 112) is a relic of the church of St Nicholas. Unearthed by the Earl of Buchan when he was digging the foundation for a pillar in the Parish Church of Uphall some time in the last quarter of the 18th century. After recovery it was transferred to the Earl's house at Kirkhill, but when he moved to Dryburgh, the font was removed to Pyot Hall where it became a water trough for cattle. In the late 19th century the font was 'rediscovered' and restored to its original use by the Dowager-Countess of Buchan who provided it with a new pedestal.
The font is octagonal, and possibly dates from the 15th or ealry 16th century. On six of the eight sides are inscriptions: I.H.S, M and Sta ecclesia Nicholai (the Holy Church of Nicholas).
The church bell is also inscribed round the frieze with the words 'In onore Sancti Nicholae Campana Ecclegie de Strabocrk Anno Dni Md Ve III' ('In honour of St Nicholas the bell of the Church of Strathbrock, in the year of our Lord 1503'). In addition the bell has a shield bearing the of coat of arms of the family of Seton of Touch.
Information from the Rev. J Peat, April 2002
