History
The old medieval Kirk of Girvan, which stood in the Old Street cemetary, was dedicated to St Cuthbert in the 13th century. After the Reformation of 1560 the Old Kirk continued in use as a Reformed Church until 1770 when a new kirk was built at the head of Hamilton Street, now known as Church Square.
When built it was a small rectangular building on a north-south axis with a central pulpit against the west wall and pews on either side facing each other. In about 1800 the proprietor of the estate of Bargany built an addition on the east side, afterwards known as the Bargany aisle. The church form was now T-plan with three galleries each with its own entrance.
The internal arrangements were somewhat primitive; the seats were narrow and very uncomfortable and there was neither session-house nor vestry.
This kirk was demolished in 1884 when the present church was built.
By 1836 the population of Girvan had risen to 5,300 and the congregation had become far too large Old Kirk to accommodate. As a result a Chapel-of-Ease was erected in 1842. This plain galleried hall was known as 'The Church on the Green' or 'The Green Kirk'. Following the Disruption of 1843 this kirk was occupied by a Free Church congregation. The Presbytery of Ayr eventually removed them in 1855. 'The Green Kirk' assumed full Parish status in 1875 as Girvan South.
Deprived of a kirk the Free congregation retired to their school room in Plumb Square (Chalmer's car park). A new Free kirk, designed by the architect William Gale, opened in 1857. Following the St Andrew's union in 1947 the kirk was converted to a church hall. It was demolished in the late 1970s.
The Reformed. Presbyterians built a kirk in 1847.
These Cameronians joined the Free Church in 1879.
The kirk is now Stair Park Gospel Hall.
There was evidence of a small dissenting congregation in Girvan following the first secession of 1733, but they were not recognised by the Burgher Presbytery of Kilmarnock until 1812. Three years later their new kirk, an austere little preaching 'box', opened in the Flushes (between Old Street and Bridge Street). Through union with other 18th century seceders these Burghers became United Presbyterians in 1847.
The 19th century was a time of dramatic changes, both in the manner of worship and the attitude toward the style of church buildings, and the little kirk in the Flushes was soon considered out of date. A strong desire for a new U.P. Church was realised in 1870.
A prime site was acquired on the south side of Church Square, opposite the
Old Parish Church and building began early in 1870 to plans by Messrs Clarke and Bell of Glasgow. The Foundation Stone was laid in March
by George K Young of Glendoune and the Church opened for worship on 25th September of the same year.
Vacated in 1973, this very attractive kirk was abandoned and was eventually demolished in 1996.
With a fine new United. Presbyterian church opposite it was not surprising that there was a strong wish among the Old Parish congregation for a new, larger, more comfortable church in which to worship.
In 1882 a petition, signed by members and adherents, which was sent to the heritors proved successful and architects were invited to submit plans for a new church. The winners, from a large number of competitors, were the Glasgow firm of Messrs McKissock and Rowan.
Building commenced in May 1883 and the Memorial stone was laid by the Countess of Stair in October of the same year. The church opened for worship in September 1884.
Following the union of the Free Church 4nd the United. Presbyterians in 1900 the two United Free congregations continued to worship in their own churches - the U.P. element was known as Trinity and the former Free as Chalmers.
For eighteen years after the union of 1929 the Established Church had four Parishes in the town. Trinity and Chalmers eventually came together in 1947 to worship in Church Square and Trinity was rechristened St Andrew's.
The final union took place in 1973 when the St Andrew's congregation moved along Montgomerie Street to worship with the Old congregation to worship with the Old congregation to become Girven North Parish Church.
Girvan Old / North Parish Church
The old medieval Kirk of Girvan was dedicated to St. Cuthbert in the 13th century. This tiny single cell building, which once stood in the Old Street cemetery, served the faithful for 500 Years until a new 'T-plan kirk was built in the centre of Church Square in 1770.
Our present North Parish Church had the memorial stone laid by the Countess of Stair on Saturday 6th October 1883, and opened for worship in 1884 as The Girvan Old Parish Church of St Cuthbert. We became North Parish in 1973 with the union of Old and St AndrewsNorth Parish Church was opened for worship, in 1884 as The Girvan Old Parish Church ofSt Cuthbert. We became North Parish in 1973 with the union of Old and St Andrews.
In style and plan the Church is typical of the Gothic revival which by the 1880s had outstripped its Classical rival. Its most attractive Gothic exterior has a graceful spire which rises 150 feet in height and must surely be the very finest in the whole of Ayrshire.
On the inside we find a pleasantly familiar Scottish Presbyterian arrangement, interior of Girvan Norththankfully retained in spite of the trendy movement of the early years of the last century when the pulpits of so many churches were moved to a side position.
With a gallery around three walls and a centrally positioned pulpit, it could very well be described as a galleried hall church in Gothic dress.
A two manual Brinnley and Foster pipe organ was gifted to the. Church in 1884 by Mr Thomas McKechnie at a cost of £750. Unfortunately, essential repairs were considered too costly in 1973 and it was replaced by an Allen electronic instrument.
One of the principal features of the Church is its painted Girvan North painted ceilingceiling which is symbolic of the Creation. Shells and seaweed represent the sea bed and undulating lines the surface of the sea. The Earth is represented by the flowers of the field and the ceiling is decorated with heavenly stars.
In 1926 an attempt was made to have the ceiling painted but fortunately this proposed act of vandalism was defeated and the ceiling was preserved in its original state.
Although the Church was built at a time when Scottish stained glass and the Glasgow Studios in particular enjoyed a worldwide reputation for excellence, all windows were originally glazed with plain glass.
But not for long. In 1889 the famous Edinburgh firm of James Ballantine and Sons were commissioned to design and execute two stained glass windows for the South Transept, and a year later, two more for the North Transept.
windowsThe windows in the South Transept were presented by Mr Robert Cunningham of Glendouglas, Jedburgh, in memory of his relatives, the brothers Robert and Thomas McKechnie. Those in the North Transept were erected by the congregation in memory of 'Reverend William Corson, Minister of this Parish from May 1848 to December 1887.
In the left window of the south Transept, Mary Magdalene sinks to her knees as she realises that she is speaking to Jesus and not to the gardener. Her hands stretch out, together in an act of reverence. Jesus, with hand raised, tells her; 'Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto, my Father, and your Father; and to my God and you’re God. (St John 20:17)
The window on the right depicts Jesus seated at table breaking bread. His two companions gasp in surprised recognition as they realise that they have walked to Emmaus and had supper with Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. 'And it came to pass, as he sat at met with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.' (St. Luke 24:30-31)
In the North Transept, the window on the left depicts John the Baptist, who is easily identified by his raiment of camel's hair' and long reed cross. Jesus is standing at the back of a small gathering which John the Baptist addresses with the words: 'Among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie., (St John 1:27)
The second window portrays Jesus seated by the Sea of Tiberias. A small boat can be seen in the distance Peter stands before Jesus, his hands clasped as if imploring Jesus to believe him: 'Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus gestures towards the sheep as he charges Peter to, Feed my sheep., (St John 21:17)Memorial Chapel
In 1987 a decision was taken to convert the North Transept into a Side Chapel. Contributions, many in memory of loved ones, were received from members and friends, and over 150 names are recorded in a Book of Remembrance which is kept, available for all to see, in the Chapel.
The Side Chapel, now more aptly referred to as The Memorial Chapel, was dedicated to the Glory of God on Sunday 27th December 1987 by The Reverend Charles Johnston M A, Clerk to the Presbytery of Ayr.
Looking back over one hundred years, it is quite staggering to be reminded of just how much costs have risen. The Church was built in 1884 for just £4,500 and the Hall for £650, a total of only £5,150. By comparison, repairs to the large west window, which were undertaken in 1991, when three mullions needed to be replaced, cost over £20,000.
St Andrews Church
St Andrews Church, formerly known as Trinity Church, was built in 1870 by the United Presbyterians on a site on the south side of Church Square. It became St Andrews in 1947 when it united with Chambers Church, Dalrymple Street. It closed in 1973 after the Union with Girvan Old Church of St Cuthbert (now Girvan North). St Andrews Church was demolished in 1996 and the housing development, St Andrews Court built on the site.
Chalmers Church
Chalmers Church, Dalrymple Street, Girvan was built in 1857. It united with Trinity Church in 1947 to become St Andrews. It was demolished in 1974 and replaced by Chambers Arcade.
Girvan Old Church of St Cuthbert
Girvan Old Church of St Cuthbert was built in 1770 at head of Hamilton Street, now known as Church Square.
The Rev Roderick Lawson, in his book "Places of Interest Around Girvan" wrote, " The Parish Church in my boyish days stood at the head of Hamilton Street. It no longer exists, having been taken down in 1883, and a much handsomer church erected close by. The old church was built in 1770, and I have no doubt was a handsome edifice then, and a great improvement on the parallelogram that did duty for a church in the churchyard. But times change, and the old church, before it was removed, had become an eyesore, both externally and internally. I can well remember the earthen floor, the narrow pews guiltless of paint, the old pulpit with a precentor's desk in front, putting one in mind of a two decker, and which, when I was latterly permitted to preach in it, I found to be so deep that I had to place one stool on the top of another to make myself visible. I can remember, too, the last minister of it remarking to some members of Presbytery who were visiting it, "The state of this church speaks for itself." "Yes," was the reply, "it is of age, and has a full right to do so."
While this church was no architectural gem, it did valiant service for the parish through Girvan's most turbulent times. During the century of its existence, the population of the parish rose from 1100 in the year of its erection to a peak of almost 8000 at the census of 1851, then rapidly declining to slightly more than 4000 in the year of its demolition.
This T plan church was demolished in 1884 and replaced by a new church in Montgomerie Street, now Girvan North Parish Church.