Architecture Notes

Event ID 870788

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Architecture Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/870788

ND48SW 10.00 44006 84259

St Mary's Church [NAT]

OS (GIS) April 2010.

ND48SW 10.01 ND 43992 84270 Churchyard

See also ND48SW 6 and ND48SW 9.

Single storey rectangular plan church with slated roof and crowstepped gables with bellcote at N end. Plain interior with memorials plaques on wall.

The present church (Kirk) was built around 1790. The church is depicted as roofed on the 1st Edition of the OS 6-inch map (Orkney and Shetland (Orkney) 1882, sheet cxxvi). It is described in the Object Name Book of the Ordnance Survey (ONB) as 'quoad sacra parish (a quoad sacra parish is one created and functioning for ecclesiastical purposes only). This edifice which has 413 sittings, is believed to have been originally established about the 11th century, but the exact date cannot be ascertained even the presbytory Records throw no light upon the matter. It is situated at the N side of Burwick Bay in the cnetre of the ancient burial ground of St Mary's or south Parish' (Name Book 1880).

Information from RCAHMS (DE), February 2009.