A restrained early nineteenth-century church stands beside the round tower, continuing the centre’s long ecclesiastical identity in a distinct architectural language.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1802; later porch and session-house additions
- Architect / designer
- James Ballingal
- Type
- Rectangular Gothic parish church with square bellcote
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB20876)
- OS grid reference
- NO 18988 16443
Architecture and continuing use
The rectangular church presents droved ashlar to its north side and a square bellcote at the west gable. Two large windows are flanked by smaller gallery-level openings, with former doors below converted to windows. A later west porch and an eastern session house extend the simple original block; the south entrance has been blocked.
Its story
James Ballingal designed the church in 1802 for a parish with a much older religious history. Later generations added the porch and session house, altered openings and renewed the glazing and furnishings. The building’s position close to the medieval tower creates a compact group illustrating successive forms of worship rather than a single building campaign.
Why it is included
It shows how an ancient ecclesiastical centre was re-equipped for Presbyterian worship at the start of the nineteenth century.
What to notice
- The compact square bellcote on the west gable.
- The hierarchy of large lower and smaller gallery windows.
- The blocked and converted openings that reveal changes in circulation.
Reading the surroundings
Treat the church as an active place of worship. Check locally advertised services or events before entering, avoid interrupting worship and respect the adjoining burial ground.
Timeline
- 1802 James Ballingal’s new parish church was completed beside the medieval tower.
- 19th century A porch and session house enlarged the plain rectangular building.
- 2026 The Presbytery continues to advertise worship at the Kirk of St Bride.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The statutory record calls the building ecclesiastical, but worship timetables and access can change; the current position should be confirmed with the congregation.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Abernethy Parish Church, LB20876 — Current designation status, statutory identity, official mapped point, date, fabric and significance.
- Presbytery of Perth: Kirk of St Bride, Abernethy — Current presbytery evidence identifying the building beside the Round Tower as the Kirk of St Bride and advertising regular worship.
- Trove: Abernethy Parish Church — National heritage inventory entry for designation identity, mapped location, related records and available archive material.
- Perth and Kinross Council: Abernethy Conservation Area Appraisal — Local-authority evidence for the settlement’s development, street pattern, landmark buildings, archaeology and conservation context.
Location
OS grid reference NO 18988 16443 · Location confidence: High for the current HES designation point; public text separately qualifies access, component identity and current use. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.