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Kinghorn, Old Kirk
Church (12th Century)
Site Name Kinghorn, Old Kirk
Classification Church (12th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Kinghorn Old Parish Church
Canmore ID 52732
Site Number NT28NE 11
NGR NT 27182 86956
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/52732
- Council Fife
- Parish Kinghorn
- Former Region Fife
- Former District Kirkcaldy
- Former County Fife
NT28NE 11 27182 86956.
(NT 2718 8695) Church (NR) (remains of)
OS 6" map, (1967)
The church was transformed in appearance by alterations in 1774.
A Reid 1906.
At the E end of the modern parish church of Kinghorn are the ruins of an older church, probably that dedicated by David de Bernham in 1243. The remains represent part of a rectangular E end, aisled on the S side.
RCAHMS 1933.
The remains of the old parish church of Kinghorn, at the E end of the modern building are as described by the RCAHMS; they are overgrown and dilapidated.
Visited by OS (W D J) 2 March 1959.
The remains, attached to the modern church, consist of the E and N sides of the E end.
Visited by OS (S F S) 15 December 1975.
A recently discovered inscription to John Boswell, 1575, has been noted on one of the Boswell gravestones in the crypt.Several other stones were recognised in the area of the crypt now partly built over, but it has not yet been possible to identify any inscriptions on these.
E Proudfoot 1984.
Field Visit (15 May 1925)
Old Parish Church, Kinghorn.
At the east end of the modern building are the ruins of an older church, probably that dedicated by David de Bernham, Bishop of St. Andrews, on 17th May 1243. The remains represent part of a rectangular east end, aisled on the southern side. The chancel has a present internal length of 26 ½ feet and was 19 ½ feet wide. The length and width of the aisle are indeterminate. The gable has an intake course on the outside and still stands to a height of some 30 feet, while the north wall remains to a height of 8 ½ feet. The latter contains a small window at the eastern end and the jamb of another but wider window near the western end. Against the exterior of the gable lie several portions of circular piers, 16 inches in diameter, with moulded capitals. These have been part of the aisle arcade.
RCAHMS 1933, visited 15 May 1925.
Publication Account (1981)
A confirmation to Holyrood Abbey in free alms of the church of Kinghorn (Estrikingorn) granted by the Bishop of St. Andrew occurs in the period 1165 -x 1178 (Barrow, 1971, 481). At the eastern end of the present modern parish church stand the ruins of an older church, possibly one dedicated by Bishop David de Bernham of St.• Andrews in 1243 (RCAM, 1933, 170). From its remains it was judged to be a building of some architectural merit' possessing a steeple, aisle, nave and choir (AR, 1906, 32). The present parish church, which was originally cruciform in style, underwent extensive refurbishing in 1894 (Richardson, n.d.,21).
Information from ‘Historic Kinghorn: The Archaeological Implications of Development’ (1981).
