Scottish Architecture. Ancrum Old Parish Church.

Ancrum Old Parish Church is situated just over half a mile north west of the village of Ancrum in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, on the B4600 road leading off the A68. The village of Ancrum is four miles north west of Jedburgh. The churchyard contains the burial ground for the local area. The old church is situated at grid reference NT621248, and the remains are protected as a Category B listed building.

History

The origins of the church are from 1136 when a monastic settlement was established by David I of Scotland. That foundation was part of the Archdeanery of Teviotdale in the See of Glasgow. This situation existed until the Reformation in 1560 when the church was transformed, according to the new faith, to Ancrum Parish Church.

The old buildings were replaced in 1762 when a new church was built, incorporating a fragmented aisle from the old church. In 1832, the church was extensively repaired The church, in later years, was alternatively known as “The Livingston Church” in memory of the most notable of all the clerics at Ancrum, the Rev. John Livingston (1603–1672). Livingston was part of the commission sent to Breda in the Netherlands in 1660 to meet King Charles II of England and Scotland, to make arrangements for his homecoming to receive the Crown of Scotland. In 1684, the parish of Longnewton was annexed to the parish at Ancrum. In 1890, the old church was abandoned when the new parish church (by Hardy & Wight was opened in the village of Ancrum. The new church contains a Dutch bell of 1618.