Loudoun Kirk facts for kids

Loudoun Kirk is an old church in East Ayrshire, Scotland, located about one mile west of Loudoun Castle. For many years, it was the main church for the Loudoun area. After the 1600s, a new church in nearby Newmilns took its place, and Loudoun Kirk became very run down. But since 1994, a local charity called Friends Of Loudoun Kirk has worked hard to save and preserve it.

History of Loudoun Kirk

Loudoun Kirk (11/06/10)

Loudoun Kirk from the South.

Loudoun Kirk is believed to be the first place where Christian worship happened in this area. Many historians thought it was built in 1451. This date came from an old Latin book translated in 1890.

However, a local historian named Alastair Hendry found an older letter. This letter talked about church rents from before 1451. After looking at the old Latin book again, he believes Loudoun Kirk was actually founded much earlier, in 1198. When the church was first built, its money helped support the monks at Kilwinning Abbey. In return, the monks had to make sure a priest was available to serve the people of Loudoun.

Changes Over Time

In 1527 and 1528, Loudoun Kirk was badly damaged during fights between the Campbell and Kennedy families. But it was quickly rebuilt. By 1530, a small chapel was built in Newmilns because more people lived there.

Loudoun Kirk stayed the main church until at least the 17th century. Then, the chapel in Newmilns became the main church for the area. Loudoun Kirk and its churchyard were still used for special services. More importantly, it remained the burial place for many generations of Loudoun families. In 1898, the Third Marquis of Bute helped repair the building.

Notable People and Burials

Memorial to Lady Flora Hastings, her niece and mother in Loudoun Kirk.

Loudoun Kirk's vault and the graveyard around it were used as a burial site for both important noble families and local people.

Famous Burials

Some of the notable people buried here include:

• John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun
• John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun
• Lady Flora Hastings
• Janet Little, a poet known as "The Scotch Milkmaid"
• Thomas Fleming, a Covenanter who died at the Battle of Drumclog

A unique story involves Francis Rawdon-Hastings, who was the 2nd Earl of Moira. When he died in 1826, he asked for his right hand to be removed. He wanted it buried with his wife, Flora Mure-Campbell, in the family vault. This wish was carried out, and his hand rests with hers.

Recently, the Friends of Loudoun Kirk group surveyed all the gravestones and plaques. They have made this information available online for everyone to see.

Old Traditions and Items

The Dead Bell

Inscription on the memorial to Lady Flora Hastings and her mother.

In 1894, Loudoun Kirk still had its "dead bell." This bell was sent to the people of Loudoun from Holland by the 2nd Earl of Loudoun, James Campbell. It had "Loudoun Kirk" written on it in raised letters. The bell was used during funeral processions. In 1875, a Mrs. Semple in Loudoun Village was keeping it.

World War II Connection

Belgian SAS Training

In February 1944, a special military unit called the 5th SAS was stationed at Loudoun Castle. This group, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Eddy Blondeel, trained there for the D-Day Landings during World War II.

Members of the 5th SAS returned for a 50th anniversary celebration in 1994. During their visit, they gave money to the Friends of Loudoun Kirk. They asked for the money to be used to put up a plaque on the church wall. This plaque remembers the Belgian Special Air Service Regiment and thanks the Loudoun family and the people of Scotland for their kindness in 1944.

Loudoun Village History

The old Loudoun Kirk is right next to where the village of Loudoun used to be. This village was home to local miners. After World War II, the houses became very run down. They didn't have modern things like gas or electricity. So, the people living there moved to new houses in Galston, and the village was left empty.

Today, you can still see the foundations of the old cottages in the fields near the lane. There was a plan to build a new village in the 1990s, but it never happened.

Further Study

• Bobby Young, F.O.L.K., 1995
• Friends Of Loudoun Kirk