Kelso, Roxburgh Street, Free Church
Church (19th Century)
Site Name Kelso, Roxburgh Street, Free Church
Classification Church (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) St John's Edenside Church; Ednam Church
Canmore ID 96052
Site Number NT73SW 195
NGR NT 72572 34201
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/96052
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Kelso
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Roxburgh
- Former County Roxburghshire
Kelso North Church is an impressive building, and an instantly recognisable landmark. The building dates to 1867, and was designed by Frederick T. Pilkington who was also the architect of Barclay Church in Edinburgh.
The idiosyncratic Gothic architecture is characteristic of Pilkington's work. Entry is by a richly-ornamented arched porch projecting from the steeply gabled western end of the church. Above the porch are two tall arched windows which illuminate the interior of the church, and feature ornate decorative stonework around their edges. The massive steeple is visible throughout Kelso.
At the Disruption of 1843 the new Free Church congregation of Kelso used what had been a Church of Scotland building for worship. However, in 1864 the Church of Scotland successfully claimed the building as their own following lengthy legal proceedings, and the construction of this church followed. It is now known as Kelso North and Ednam Parish Church.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
NMRS REFERENCE:
Architect: F T Pilkington 1863-6
F T Pilkington and Bell 1865
Sbc Note
Visibility: This is an upstanding building.
Information from Scottish Borders Council.
