Dyke Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dyke Parish Church |
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The six-bay south front
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| 57°36′16″N 3°41′30″W / 57.60444°N 3.69167°W | |
| Location | Dyke |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| History | |
| Founded | 1781 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Category A listed building |
Dyke Parish Church is a beautiful old church in the village of Dyke, Scotland. It was built in 1781 in a style called Georgian. This church is still used today by the Church of Scotland. It stands where an even older church used to be. Inside, it has an ancient family tomb, called a mausoleum, which is now used as a church hall. While building the church, workers found some amazing things: an old stone carving from the Picts and a hidden treasure of coins from the 1100s! Because of its history and design, it was named a Category A listed building in 1971.
Contents
The Church's Story
Building the Church
Dyke Parish Church was built in 1781. It cost about £525, which was a lot of money back then! Two builders named James Smith, one from Aldearn and one from Nairn, constructed it. The church was built on the same spot where a much older church once stood. This older church was first mentioned in old documents from the late 1100s. Some historians think the original church was named after St Andrew. Others believe it was dedicated to St Ninian.
Amazing Discoveries
During the construction of the church, workers made exciting discoveries. They found a hidden collection of about 100 coins from the 1100s. They also unearthed an ancient stone slab carved by the Picts. The Picts were an old group of people who lived in Scotland. This special stone carving is now displayed at Brodie Castle.
The Brodie Mausoleum
At one end of the church, there is an older part that was built before the main church. This section was built around 1693. It was originally a mausoleum, which is a special building or room where a family buries its members. This mausoleum belonged to the Brodie family. Today, it is no longer a tomb. Instead, it serves as the church hall and a vestry, which is a room where the minister gets ready. A narrow hallway connects it to the main church.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the church has had some updates. In 1853, a Gothic-style porch was added between the old mausoleum and the church. Then, in 1867, the front of the church was redesigned in a Gothic style by architects Matthews and Lawrie. In 1952, the church was renovated. A new ceiling was put in, but the original design from 1781 stayed the same.
Between 1920 and 1922, a special gate was built. This gate serves as a war memorial. It was designed by Peter Macgregor Chalmers, a famous architect from Glasgow. In January 1971, Dyke Parish Church was officially recognized as a Category A listed building. This means it is a very important historical building. In 2018, the church received a grant of £10,000. This money helped make the church and hall easier for everyone to access.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
The church is a rectangular building. Its front side has six sections and is made of rough stone with smooth, cut stone details. The sides and back are also made of rough stone. The windows are large and rounded at the top, reaching almost to the roof. At the very top of the west end, there is a tall stone tower called a bellcote. It holds a bell that can be rung using a special wheel.
The old Gothic porch, located between the church and the hall, is now closed off. It has a pointed arch doorway with columns. Above the doorway, there are carvings of a bearded man and a woman, though they are now worn by weather. A tall Celtic cross sits at the very top of the porch. The south side of the church hall has a fancy stone doorway. It features columns that support a decorated top, and a large window with crisscrossing stone patterns.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has a U-shaped gallery. This is like a balcony that goes around three sides of the room. A very interesting feature is the triple-decker pulpit. This is a tall, three-level stand in the middle of the south wall. Stairs lead up to it from both the left and right sides.
Current Use
Dyke Parish Church is still an active place of worship. It is part of the Dyke and Edinkillie Parish Church of Scotland. Regular Sunday services are held at 10 AM. However, on the first Sunday of each month, services are at 11 AM. These services rotate between the two church buildings in the parish.
