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Listed Buildings Recording Programme 2003
Event ID 884519
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Listed Buildings Recording Programme 2003
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/884519
The simple rectangular form of the pre-reformation church at Fowlis Wester survives. A burial aisle was added to the north in 1641 forming the existing T-plan church. In 1802 the church was ‘repaired’ which included the insertion of round-headed astragaled windows and the creation of a door in the centre of the south wall. A photograph held by RCAHMS, dated c.1885, shows the church in its 'Georgian Dress'. (See SC 911714). A pre-1927 photograph, in the vestry, shows the interior as a rectangular plastered space with no internal access to the north aisle. In the 19th century a Gothic arched doorway was broken through the north wall of the aisle. In 1927 Capt and Hon. Mrs Drummond Moray employed J Jeffrey Waddell (1876-1941) to ‘restore’ the church to its 'medieval appearance'. The programme of works was drastic in that all of the harl and the plaster were removed and new Gothic windows inserted, all under a new roof. Access to the north aisle was opened up through an archway and a vestry created beyond. This involved the blocking of the 19th century north doorway. The east end appears to be the only area that was not rebuilt, retaining the pre-Reformation sacrament-house and leper squint. During the work various sculptured stones were uncovered from the walls including the 1644 pediment of the churchyard gate. These, along with the Cross of Fowlis, are preserved within the church. The interior was fitted out with a complete set of furnishings with Celtic inspired decoration. The church has 20th century stained glass including the Ascending Christ in the west window.
Waddell, a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, was convinced that there were further early sculptured stones within the fabric. RCAHMS holds a portrait of him sitting in one of the pews.
(Information from RCAHMS (STG), 2003
