Greyfriars Church, Dumfries

Greyfriars Church, Dumfries is a Category A listed building in Dumfries, in south west Scotland.[1] The current Greyfriars Church building was built from 1866 to 1868 in the Victorian Gothic style, designed by architect John Starforth. It is situated in a prominent position at the top of the High Street, and constructed of local red sandstone taken from Locharbriggs Quarry. The building has an abundance of ornate decorative stonework, including impressive figures and foliage around the entrance doorway. These carvings are attributed to local stonemason and sculptor, William Flint.

History (buildings)

The location of building is on or near some of the earliest known buildings in that area of Dumfries:

  • Greyfriars' Convent (nearby)
  • Maxwell of Nithsdale Castle
  • New Kirk
  • Curernt Church Building

Current Greyfriars Church building

The current Greyfriars’ Church was built from 1866 on the site of the New Kirk. The New Kirk was built in the 1720s on or adjoining the site of Maxwell of Nithsdale’s Castle. When the walls of the New Kirk were being demolished, several moulded and decorated stones were uncovered.[2]

Building the current church

Dumfries Town Council, Heritors of the New Kirk, considered over 30 plans for the proposed new church to be named Greyfriars’. The plans were exhibited for public view at the Market Hall on 10 May 1865.[3] The final decision[4] was between designs by the following architects:

Greyfriars Church today

Since 2008, Saint Bride’s Anglican Church has worshipped in the building.[6] In June 2019 possible plans were announced which propose to reduce the size of the church and convert a portion of the building to residential flats.[7]

Images of stonework
  • Ornate decorative stonework around front doors of Greyfriars Church, Dumfries
  • Detail of carved flowers
  • Carved female statue on Grayfriars Church, Dumfries
  • Carved statue on Grayfriars Church, Dumfries
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References
  1. "CHURCH CRESCENT, GREYFRIARS' CHURCH (LB26126)". portal.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  2. Barbour, James (1910–1911). "The Greyfriars' Convent of Dumfries". Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society Transactions (DGNHAS). Series II, Volume 23: 18–35.CS1 maint: date format (link)
  3. "Article". Dumfries & Galloway Standard & Advertiser. 1865-05-10.
  4. "Article". Dumfries & Galloway Standard & Advertiser. 1865-05-24.
  5. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  6. "Greyfriars Church: About Us". ST BRIDE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH. Retrieved 2019-07-29.
  7. "News". ST BRIDE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH. Retrieved 2019-07-29.

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