A cruciform parish church gathers medieval stonework, nineteenth-century galleries and stained glass into a continuing place of worship.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1789; enlarged 1891; early twentieth-century chancel work
- Architect / designer
- William Constable, 1891 alterations
- Type
- Church of Scotland parish church
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB3674)
- OS grid reference
- NT 21418 96008
Architecture and continuing use
Squared rubble walls, lancets and traceried transept windows rise to an open bellcote and slender fleche. Inside, galleries stand on cast-iron columns around fixed pews, while a reset Romanesque window frames later stained glass above the chancel.
Its story
The present church reused stone from the medieval St Fothad’s site in 1789. William Constable’s 1891 work restored a cruciform plan and doubled seating; later chancel work incorporated the old window and memorial glass. The congregation now operates jointly with Kinglassie.
Why it is included
Category B listing recognises the layered relationship between an active parish church and its medieval predecessor, expressed through reused masonry, fittings and memorials.
What to notice
- The open bellcote and diagonally set roof fleche.
- A reset medieval window within the later chancel.
- Galleries curving around the nineteenth-century worship space.
Reading the surroundings
Attend an advertised service or open event, or arrange access with the congregation. Respect worship, funerals and safeguarding, and ask before photographing inside.
Timeline
- 1789 A new parish church rose using masonry from the older kirk.
- 1891 William Constable enlarged the nave and created new transepts and galleries.
- 1930–1931 Chancel work incorporated medieval stonework and memorial glazing.
- 2026 The united congregation continued worship across Auchterderran and Kinglassie.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Service location alternates within the united parish, so current notices should be checked before visiting.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Auchterderran Parish Church, LB3674 — Current designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB3674 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
- Auchterderran and Kinglassie Parish Church — Current congregation, worship pattern and contact information.
- Auchterderran and Kinglassie: parish history — Local account of the church buildings, union and reused medieval fabric.
Location
OS grid reference NT 21418 96008 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; public text separately states access and current-use uncertainty. · 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.
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