Bolton Parish Church, East Lothian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bolton Parish Church |
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| Location | Bolton, East Lothian |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Churchmanship | Reformed, presbyterian |
| Website | Yester, Bolton and Saltoun Church website |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bolton & Saltoun |
| Presbytery | Lothian |
Bolton Parish Church is a historic church located in Bolton, a small village in East Lothian, Scotland. It is part of the Church of Scotland. This church, along with Yester Church and Saltoun Parish Church, serves the local area known as the parish of Yester, Bolton and Saltoun.
Contents
The Church's Long History
Building the First Church
The very first church in Bolton was built a long, long time ago, around the year 1240. For about 300 years, this church was connected to the Canons of Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh.
A New Church for the Community
By 1804, the old church building was in bad shape. It needed many repairs. The local landowners, called heritors, decided it was better to build a brand new church. In January 1805, they met and agreed on this plan. The new church was designed to hold about 250 people. By the end of 1809, the new Bolton Parish Church was finished.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the church has been updated. In 1930, the pulpit (where the minister speaks) was moved to a new spot. The choir area was also changed. Later, in 1957, a central aisle was added. These changes made the church's seating area a bit smaller.
Interesting Features and Items
The Graveguard
Inside the church porch, you can see a special item called a "graveguard." This was a clever device from the Victorian era. It was used to stop "body-snatchers." These people would try to steal newly buried bodies from graveyards. They would then sell them to medical schools in Edinburgh for study. The graveguard and its tools are on display in the church porch.
Important Burials
Many important people are buried under the church's aisles. These include the Lords Blantyre and members of the Stuart family from Eaglescairnie.
The Bolton Hearse
Bolton Church also owns a very special item called the Bolton Hearse. A hearse is a vehicle used to carry a coffin at a funeral. This particular hearse is pulled by horses. It is thought to be the oldest surviving piece of Scottish coachwork (like a carriage) still in existence. The Bolton Hearse is now kept safe at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
See Also
