Kirkcudbright, St Mary Street, Kirkcudbright Parish Church
Church (19th Century)
Site Name Kirkcudbright, St Mary Street, Kirkcudbright Parish Church
Classification Church (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) St Cuthbert Street; St Mary's Street
Canmore ID 212735
Site Number NX65SE 305
NGR NX 68386 50980
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/212735
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Kirkcudbright
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Stewartry
- Former County Kirkcudbrightshire
NX65SE 305 68386 50980
Architect: William Burn 1835-38.
Archaeological Evaluation (August 2003 - September 2003)
NX65SE 305
NX 683 511 The present church is built on the site of the 15th-century Franciscan friary church and incorporates the burial aisle of the Maclellan family, which is believed to have formed part of the medieval church. Evaluation trenching within the church in August and September 2003 confirmed the presence of redeposited human bone and wall foundations relating to earlier buildings that would be damaged during the installation of underfloor heating in the building. A watching brief was therefore maintained whilst the ground in the interior of the church was being reduced to the formation level of the new heated floor. Substantial quantities of redeposited human bone were recovered and an articulated female inhumation was excavated in the present chancel (the Maclellan Aisle). Several foundation walls were exposed including a sloping stone shaft.
Analysis of the human bone has identified the remains of at least 31 individuals and, from measurement of facial shape, it seems a distinct possibility that at least some of these were related - possibly members of the Maclellan family. The foundation walls uncovered relate to various previous buildings on the site, including the 1730 parish church and three phases of the 19th-century Old Church School. Although no plans exist of the medieval church, it is likely that one of the foundation walls formed part of that church.
Report lodged with Dumfries and Galloway SMR and the NMRS.
Sponsors: Historic Scotland, Vestry of Greyfriars Episcopal Church
K Clapperton 2004
