stirling-1963-vol-1/05_194

Transcription

No. 150 -- ECCLESIASTICAL MONUMENTS -- No. 152
the roof is slated. Each side-wall contains four high,
pointed windows and the E. end two, one on either side
of the tower. The tower is divided into three stages, the
upper two successively set back; the lower scarcement
is marked by a string-course and the upper one by a
moulded cornice. The central stage shows three clock-
dials, and in the bell-chamber above there are twin
louvred lights in each face. The tower finishes in a
crenellated parapet with finials at the corners, and above
rises a short slated spire with a leaden top and a weather-
vane. The main entrance is at the E. end, through the
base of the tower.

BELL. An early bell, 15 7/8 in. in diameter and inscribed
1631 IM, is preserved on the stair to the gallery. ¹
One of the canons has been broken off.

TOMBSTONES. Only two tombstones which might date
from before 1707 were seen in the graveyard, though
no inscription could be read on either. There were slabs
bearing shields, from one of which the charges had been
defaced while the other showed, in relief, the crowned
hammer of the Hammermen and a horse-shoe.

811827 -- NS 88 SW ("Church") -- 6 May 1954

150. Broompark Church, Denny. This church,
originally a Burgher chapel, an offshoot of the con-
gregation at Dennyloanhead (cf. No. 151), was built in
1797 ² and was reconstructed in 1881. Either in this or in
some later reconstruction it was evidently modified in
important respects, and it is consequently difficult to
picture it in its original condition. It can be said, how-
ever, that the body of the church, without the vestibule
30 ft. wide that projects 10 ft. 10 in. from its N. end, is
square on plan, measuring 46 ft. a side, and that it is
built of squared rubble with dressed margins and quoins.
The gables, which are to N. and S., finish in plain
tabling, and small decorative finials are set at the four
corners. A vestibule of some sort probably formed part
of the original design, giving access to the interior, as
at present, from the N. end; and it is also to be assumed
that the gallery, which occupies both sides and the N.
end, is an original feature. If the round-headed niche in
the centre of the S. wall, now occupied by organ-pipes,
is original, it no doubt contained the pulpit.

810828 -- NS 88 SW ("U.F.Ch.") -- 3 May 1954

151. Church, Dennyloanhead. This church stands in
the angle between the two highways leading respectively
to Stirling and Falkirk, that fork in Dennyloanhead. It
was originally built for a congregation which had seceded
from the parish church of Denny, in consequence of a
dispute about the successor to be appointed there to the
Rev. T. Watson, who died in 1733. ³ A panel, set high
up in the middle of the S. wall, is inscribed 1743 /
REBUILT / 1815, the earlier date no doubt recording
the first construction of the church. ⁴ As a result of the
rebuilding of 1815, and of a complete renovation carried
out in 1932, the original character of the building has
been largely altered, and harling further disguises con-
structional details; but the removal of some plaster shows
that the masonry was large rubble, and an internal
scarcement further suggests that the walls were originally
a good deal lower than at present. The dimensions of the
body of the church, as distinct, that is, from the chancel
at the E. end and the stair, vestry, offices, etc., at the W.
end, have presumably not been changed; the original
length may thus be taken as 60 ft. 6 in. and the breadth
as 45 ft. 6 in. over walls 2 ft. 4 in. thick. The main
features of the existing structure no doubt date from the
rebuilding of 1815, namely the tall windows on the W.
and S. sides, the moulded eaves-course returned on the
gables, the plain tabling, and the bell-cote and finial
that surmount the W. and E. gables respectively. The
seats now face an eastern pulpit, and there is a gallery
at the W. end only; but it is understood ⁵ that, before
the renovation of 1932, the pulpit was on the S. side and
there were galleries on all the other three walls.

810801 -- NS 88 SW ("Ch.") -- 27 August 1954

152. Church, Buckieburn. This church, which stands
just W. of the Stirling-Kilsyth road (No. 511) 350 yds. S.
of the Buckie Burn, was built by "the heritors of the
muirland part of the parish" ⁶ (St. Ninians) in 1750. ⁷ It is
a completely plain and barn-like structure, measuring
50 ft. from E. to W. by 28 ft. transversely, the longer
dimension being exclusive of a small outshot at the E.
end which contains a session-room and vestry and the
lobby by which the church is entered. The walls are
harled, and the gables finish in plain tabling with
moulded skewputs. The roof is slated. There are four
windows in the S. side and two in the N. side, all being
square-headed and still retaining their outside wooden
shutters. The entrance, as has been said, is at the E. end,
and the pulpit is on a raised platform at the W. end; it
is reached by a double set of steps, and is backed by
panelling with a pedimented top. There is no Com-
munion table. The church was reseated in 1830, ⁸ the
existing seats being of pine; there is a stove for heating
in the middle of the N. side.
The church contains a very unusual feature, namely a
pair of mural paintings by Mr. William Crosbie, R.S.A.
The one at the W. end shows Adam and Eve in a walled

1 For further notes and an illustration, see P.S.A.S., lxxxiv
(1949-50). 73 and pl. VI, 2.
2 N.S.A., viii (Stirlingshire), 133.
3 Ibid.
4 This need not conflict with the minister's statement, made
in 1838, that "the erection took place" in 1738 (ibid.), as this
may well have referred to the founding of the congregation.
5 Information from the Rev. R. G. Lawrie, Denny.
6 Stat. Acct., xviii (1796), 403.
7 Ordnance Survey Name Book, St. Ninians parish, p. 178.
8 Ibid.

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