Stichill Kirk facts for kids
Stichill Kirk is a very old church located in the village of Stichill. This village is in the area now known as the Scottish Borders Council in Scotland. It's about 2 miles north of the town of Kelso.
The Church's Long History
The name 'Stichill' might come from a Gaelic word. It means a downward slope, like the side of a hill. The church was first mentioned way back in 1124. A person named Gilleb was described as the priest of Stichill then.
In its early days, powerful families called the Earls of Dunbar supported the Stichill church. They were its "patrons." Later, the monks from Kelso Abbey took over the church and its local area. This continued until the Scottish Reformation in the 1560s. The Reformation was a big change in Scotland's religious history.
Some of the earliest known church leaders were:
- Gilleb, a priest in 1124
- W. de Stichel in 1153
- Goze, also known as Goscelno, a priest of Stichill in 1158
After the Reformation
The first known minister after the Reformation was Rev. William Hood. He served the church from 1567 to 1577. In 1640, the churches of Stichill and Hume joined together. Records for the local area have been kept since that time.
The church building you see today was first built in 1770. It was almost completely rebuilt in 1869. Then, it had a major update in 1906.
Another church, called The Associate Church of Stichill, was built in 1773. This church later became part of The United Free Church of Scotland in 1900. Finally, in 1938, this Associate Church joined with Stichill Parish Church. The Associate Church was also known as the Cairns Memorial Church. In the 1700s, this church was famous for its yearly "Holy Fairs." These were large religious gatherings. The old Associate Church building is now a private home.
Today, Stichill Parish Church works together with several other local churches. These include churches in Smailholm, Hume, Roxburgh, Ednam, and Nenthorn.
Important Minister
Reverend George Gunn was a minister at Stichill. He served the church from 1878 until 1900. He gave his last sermon on November 5, 1899.
See also
