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All the United Kingdom Scotland North Berwick St Andrew's Kirk Ports

St Andrew's Kirk Ports

The ruins of the second of three churches dedicated to the saint in a touristic Scottish town.

North Berwick, Scotland

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linkogecko
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Graves next to the kirk.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Graves next to the kirk.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Kirk Ports.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Vine-covered walls.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Picturesque ruin.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Kirkyard.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The roof of the kirk was disassembled.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Dry vines climb up the tower.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The steps up to the tower end after the first level.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The kirk tower and kirkyard.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Memento Mori   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Kirk is a word of likely Scandinavian origin that is commonly used in Scotland instead of the English "church." With Saint Andrew being the patron saint of Scotland, it is no surprise that the country has many a St Andrew's Kirk. What is notable is that the town of North Berwick has three at least partially still-standing.

The first was originally an eighth-century wooden building near North Berwick's coastline, but the stone construction that remains dates from the 12th century. Following damage to it by a strong storm, a new St Andrew's was built in the Kirk Ports area farther inland. Construction on it lasted from 1658 to 5 June 1664, when its opening was recorded with the notice of “This day the paroch mett in the new kirke for worship.”

St Andrew's at Kirk Ports continued to be the main church in North Berwick, with renovations and extensions taking place for over two centuries. In the 19th century, a population boom caused by growing industry led to its space for 500 churchgoers to become insufficient. The town's second St Andrew's held its last service one year and two days short of the 220th anniversary of its inauguration, on June 3, 1883. The third St Andrew's held its first services just a week later.

The current ruin status of the second kirk was partly by design, as it was decided that upon moving the religious services to the new church, this older one was to have its roof disassembled and the rest of the building stripped of the most valuable materials. The walls would be allowed to stand to become what it is now: a 'picturesque ruin'.

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Churches Ruins Abandoned Sacred Spaces

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The kirkyard is encircled by a small wall and the gate to enter seems to be always open. The ruins of the kirk itself are not open to the public.

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Added By

linkogecko

Edited By

SEANETTA

  • SEANETTA

Published

September 3, 2019

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  • https://www.johngraycentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/leaflet.pdf
St Andrew's Kirk Ports
43b Kirk Ports
North Berwick, Scotland, EH39 4HH
United Kingdom
56.057816, -2.71875
Get Directions

Nearby Places

North Berwick Law

North Berwick, Scotland

miles away

Ruins of Tantallon Castle

North Berwick, Scotland

miles away

Bass Rock

East Lothian, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Berwick

North Berwick

Scotland

Places 3

Nearby Places

North Berwick Law

North Berwick, Scotland

miles away

Ruins of Tantallon Castle

North Berwick, Scotland

miles away

Bass Rock

East Lothian, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of North Berwick

North Berwick

Scotland

Places 3

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