Whitekirk Parish Church Dunbar East Lothian
EH42 1XSWe found 15 more Church of Scotland churches near Dunbar
- Prestonkirk, East Linton (2.32 miles)
- St Andrew Blackadder Church, North Berwick (3.57 miles)
- North Berwick Abbey, North Berwick (3.62 miles)
- Athelstaneford Parish Church, North Berwick (4.71 miles)
- Stenton Parish Church, Stenton (4.77 miles)
Belhaven Parish Church, Dunbar (4.81 miles)- Whittingehame Kirk, Haddington (4.9 miles)
- Dirleton Parish Church, North Berwick (5.44 miles)
Dunbar Parish Church, Dunbar (5.61 miles)- Dunbar Parish Church, Dunbar (5.61 miles)
Belhaven Parish Church, Dunbar (6.06 miles)
Morham Parish Church, Haddington (6.07 miles)- Garvald Parish Church, Haddington (6.6 miles)
- Yester, Gifford (6.8 miles)
St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington (6.85 miles)
- Church of Scotland churches in Dunbar, East Lothian
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Who we are
St Mary’s has since the Reformation been part of the Church of Scotland, however it was originally a pilgrimage church and it is in that tradition that we welcome all, locals and visitors alike, to our church, our services, and any events we organise.
We are linked with the parish of Athelstaneford.
Parish profile:
http://www.whitekirkvillage.com/downloads/A+W&T_ParishProfile-281019.pdf
We are linked with the parish of Athelstaneford.
Parish profile:
http://www.whitekirkvillage.com/downloads/A+W&T_ParishProfile-281019.pdf
Street Address
Whitekirk Church
Dunbar,
East Lothian
EH42 1XS
United Kingdom
Phone: 0131 447 3224
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Church Pastor
Rev Thomas J Gordon
Minister
Whitekirk Church
Dunbar,
East Lothian
EH42 1XS
United Kingdom
Phone: 01875 812262
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Denomination
Church of Scotland
Affiliations
Church Website
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Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev Thomas J Gordon
Leader Position:
Minister
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Administration
Admin Name:
Dr. Thomas Torrance
Admin Position:
Session Clerk
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Whitekirk Parish Church Service Times
Services are held each Sunday at 11.30 am.
We celebrate Holy Communion on the second Sunday of January, March, May, July, and September and the 1st Sunday of November.
Family services are usually on the 4th Sunday of the month, though this may vary at Easter and Christmas (please contact the locum minister for more information).
It's been more than 4 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
We celebrate Holy Communion on the second Sunday of January, March, May, July, and September and the 1st Sunday of November.
Family services are usually on the 4th Sunday of the month, though this may vary at Easter and Christmas (please contact the locum minister for more information).
It's been more than 4 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Whitekirk Parish Church Dunbar Photos
Whitekirk Parish Church - Dunbar, East Lothian
The sanctuary
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Whitekirk Parish Church History
With its origins dating back to the 12th century, St Mary's Parish Church is one of the very few mediaeval parish churches still in active use in Scotland.
Much of the fabric of the existing church dates to a major reconstruction beginning in 1439, when Adam Hepburn of Hailes built the vaulted stone choir. The main layout and structure of the church has survived largely intact since then, although everything but the stone walls and vaulting were destroyed by fire in 1914, allegedly by suffragette protestors. Restoration of the church began in 1917, and today's interior is largely a result of that work, with the wagon roof, communion table, pulpit, lectern and font all by Scottish architect and furniture designer Sir Robert Lorimer.
Miracles and a Pope
From the 1300s, miracles were being reported by people drinking at the nearby well (reputedly dedicated to St Baldred), and Whitekirk quickly became a major centre for pilgrimage. By 1413, there were some fifteen thousand visitors to the village, and King James I placed the church under his protection, building hostels to shelter the growing number of pilgrims. Among them was the future Pope Pius II, who walked there barefoot through snow from Dunbar to give thanks for having been spared a shipwreck there in 1435.
The holy well
The exact location of the holy well, which is the reason for the existence of our church, is sadly no longer known, as it is said to have been filled in during the early 19th century. Efforts have been made to trace it, but as yet without success. The search is continuing, however, and we will bring an update on our findings as soon as possible.
Much of the fabric of the existing church dates to a major reconstruction beginning in 1439, when Adam Hepburn of Hailes built the vaulted stone choir. The main layout and structure of the church has survived largely intact since then, although everything but the stone walls and vaulting were destroyed by fire in 1914, allegedly by suffragette protestors. Restoration of the church began in 1917, and today's interior is largely a result of that work, with the wagon roof, communion table, pulpit, lectern and font all by Scottish architect and furniture designer Sir Robert Lorimer.
From the 1300s, miracles were being reported by people drinking at the nearby well (reputedly dedicated to St Baldred), and Whitekirk quickly became a major centre for pilgrimage. By 1413, there were some fifteen thousand visitors to the village, and King James I placed the church under his protection, building hostels to shelter the growing number of pilgrims. Among them was the future Pope Pius II, who walked there barefoot through snow from Dunbar to give thanks for having been spared a shipwreck there in 1435.
The holy well
The exact location of the holy well, which is the reason for the existence of our church, is sadly no longer known, as it is said to have been filled in during the early 19th century. Efforts have been made to trace it, but as yet without success. The search is continuing, however, and we will bring an update on our findings as soon as possible.
Whitekirk Parish Church Historical Photos
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You are...
You are the shade in the heat, You are shelter in the cold, You are eyes to the blind, You are a staff to the pilgrim, You are an island in the sea, You are a stronghold upon land, You are healing to the sick. You are the luck of every joy, You are the light of the sun's beam, You are the door of lordly welcome, You are the pole star of guidance, You are the step of the roe of the height, You are the step of the white-faced mare, You are the grace of the swimming swan, You are the jewel in each mystery.
Whitekirk Parish Church listing was last updated on the 10th of February, 2020
