Dyke Parish Church
Church (18th Century), Cross Incised Stone (Early Medieval), Human Remains (Period Unknown)
Site Name Dyke Parish Church
Classification Church (18th Century), Cross Incised Stone (Early Medieval), Human Remains (Period Unknown)
Alternative Name(s) St Ninian's
Canmore ID 15515
Site Number NH95NE 11
NGR NH 99003 58419
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/15515
- Council Moray
- Parish Dyke And Moy
- Former Region Grampian
- Former District Moray
- Former County Morayshire
The church built c. 1781 and renovated in the late 1940's, early 1950's when the link was made to the vestry hall. The vestry was created out of a mid eighteenth century mausoleum attached to the east end of the church. The gothic facade of the vestry and link passage dates from the mid nineteenth century.
NH95NE 11.00 99003 58419
NH95NE 11.01 Mausoleum; Church Hall; Vestry
NH95NE 11.02 Burial Ground
(NH 9902 5841) Church (NR)
OS 6" map (1959)
The parish church of Dyke, built 1780-1 stands on or close to the site of the pre-Reformation church which, according to Beaton and Scott, was dedicated to St Ninian.
Name Book (1870) described the 18th century church as being built on the site of the old Roman Catholic church, for which no dedicatory name can be obtained; but the Statistical Account (OSA, 1789) mentions digging the foundation of the new church behind the old one.
Scott lists the site as St Ninian's at 'Disar' which he takes to be Dyke and to contain part of the 'Disart' element. A 12th century coin hoard (NH95NE 1) was found during the building of the church in 1780, as was Rodney's Stone (NH95NE 3) a cross-slab.
A B Scott 1918; D Beaton 1909
A stone, showing a simple cross with mitred ends on an outline of steps and inscribed round the border, which was part of the old church, is built into the wall of the present vestry.
Dyke W R I 1966
There is no trace of an earlier church within or in the vicinity of the present church which is still in use; nor local information regarding the dedication. The vestry, formerly a masonic hall, is at the E end of the church.
Visited by OS (RL) 18 December 1970.
EXTERNAL REFERENCE:
Sources:
Dyke Church Bi-centenary Book (1981). Info from Brodie Papers. Collen Williamson was a extra contractor for the church. The architects were James Smith, Nairn, and James Smith, Auldearn
6 plans were contributed for the church.
Williamson's was not selected so he joined in as contractor 1781.
Photographic Survey (5 September 2013)
Photographed for the Listed Buildings Area Survey 2013-14.
Watching Brief (21 July 2017 - 25 September 2017)
NH 99003 58419 A watching brief was undertaken, 21 July – 25 September 2017, for a path and associated services to the rear of the church. Work revealed part of the former boundary wall.
Report: Moray SMR and NRHE
Funder: Dyke and Moy Parish Church
Stuart Farrell
(Source: DES, Volume 18)
Watching Brief (March 2021 - April 2021)
NH 99003 58419 A watching brief was undertaken between March and April 2021 for internal alterations and associated works to the rear of Dyke Parish Church (Canmore ID: 15515) as part of a project for new toilets and a new access step. Work revealed three articulated skeletons, which were left in situ, no other features or deposits of interest were revealed.
Archive: Moray HER and NRHE Funder: Dyke Parish Church
Stuart Farrell
