Our Church Building and Its History
Photograph copyright Bill Anderson. All rights reserved. Click on the image to see a high resolution version.
The Present Church Building
We are fortunate to have a beautiful church building. This category 'A' listed building is special in many ways, including being the only Robert Adam church in the country.
Origins
It is believed that, in 1777, while working with Lord Cassillis, his client at Culzean Castle, Robert Adam came across the church during construction and recommended changes, giving the building its Palladian-style details.
The belfry contains a Dutch bell dated 1677 that was taken from the older, pre-reformation church in the village.
Kirkoswald Parish Church. Photograph by the Rev. Arrick Wilkinson, minister of the parish.
Recent Works
The building was restored and renovated in 1997 following a localised fire and the discovery of rot. The interior of the church was restored with only minor changes.
Historical Connections
Notable Visitors to the Church
President Eisenhower of the USA has attended regular services at the Parish Church.
Kirkoswald 'Old' Parish Church and Graveyard
Not to be confused with our 'New' Parish Church that was built in 1777, the village also has an older parish church which is notable for several reasons, including being the place where Robert the Bruce was baptised. The baptismal font used can be found in the old graveyard. Characters from Robert Burns writings, including Tam o' Shanter, Souter Johnnie and Kirkton Jean, are also buried in Kirkoswald's old graveyard. Burns spent several months in the village in 1776 when he was around seventeen years of age.