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In 1696 the
first Byres Kirk was built on this site to replace the old church
of Ormiston that was located in the grounds of Ormiston Hall, close
to the mansion house. Both John Knox and George Wishart are said to
have preached at the old church. The church however, was
inconvenient for the minister and the greater part of the
population who lived about 1 ½ miles away.
The first
Byres Kirk was said to be cold and damp and very uncomfortable in
winter. At first it was partially seated with families providing
their own stools and chairs. About 1825 the church was furnished
with good substantial pews. However, it was not until 1844 that the
seating was completed giving accommodation for 300 people. All the
seats were free. Some were allotted to particular families, but a
large number were common.
The churchyard
may have been the smallest in the country, being 46 yards x 24
yards in size including the Church and Collection House.
In 1856 the
Church was demolished and a new building erected on the same site.
This church was built in the Gothic style and accommodated 300
people.
In 1937 a new
Church was built in Ormiston village, uniting the Church of
Scotland and the Free Kirk that broke away in 1843. With the
erection of the new Church in the village the Byres Kirk fell into
disuse and was eventually demolished in the
1960’s.
In the
churchyard can be seen a headstone erected by Isabella Burns, the
sister of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns, in memory of
her children and other members of her family.
Due to possible landowner issues, and on top of that, a few
eye opening words from the reviewer, that I absolutely agree with,
the Cache is not as originally planned, in or directly attached to
any part of the cemetery.
Anyone wishing
to visit the cemetery can, it’s open and well looked after,
sorry dogs have to stay outside. I myself, found the place and the
story interesting.
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