Greyfriars Episcopal Church stands as an irregular cruciform on the corner of St Cuthbert St. and Castle Bank in Kirkcudbright. Originally a late C15 Franciscan convent church, Greyfriars was taken over as a parish church in 1571 and rebuilt in 1730, only to be demolished laterl. It was converted back into a church in 1919, having served as a school since its demolition in 1838. In its present form, Greyfriars' rubble-built exterior features simple gothic windows and urn fineals on the gables. The chancel, one of the only components not rebuilt in 1730, dates back to late C16 when it was added to the side of the convent as a laird's "aisle" by the MacLellans of Bombie. The other late C16 feature is the round-arched gateway in the screen wall to the east, its keystone decorated with a carved head. While the interior transept and chancel walls are of exposed rubble, the nave walls are plastered. The round-headed chancel arch dates to late C16. A trefoil-headed piscine is now located near the south gable, and almost certainly came from the late C15 convent church. The 1921 three-light stained glass window in the chancel depicts the Adoration of the Magi. Gordon Webster's two 1961 windows depict St Francis and St Cuthbert and illuminate the east transept. The window at the nave's north end is dated 1951 and is signed by Isabella Douglas. The altar cross and beaten brass candle sticks with inlaid semi-precious stones date to c. 1925 and are by Mabel Braunton. Probably the most striking aspect of Greyfriars is the monument on the east side of the chancel dedicated to Thomas MacLellan and his wife. Erected in 1635 by their son, the monument reminds churchgoers of their inescapable fate. It is not only adorned with symbols of mortality; skull, hourglass and crossbones, but also repeats messages such as "memento mori" and "respice finem" (look to your end) through its inscriptions. (Vera Schoeller, 14/09/05)
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