Auchincruive Church now.
What’s in a name?
A quick overview
St Quivox refers now to the name of the entire Parish, which has two churches: Auchincruive Church in St Quivox village, and Dalmilling Church on Dalmilling Road, Ayr.
Early on, the parish was known as Sanchar-in-Kyle - an area three miles north of the River Ayr and five miles inland. There are still farms with this name in the district. It was dedicated to St Kevoc. To distinguish it from Sanquar in Nithsdale, the Parish came to be called St Kevoc's, which became corrupted to St Quivox.
The name St Kevoc is an unusual and its origins are obscure. It may have been referred to a St Kennocha Virgo in Coila during the reign of Malcolm II (Máel Coluim; c. 954 – 25 November 1034) and has also been spelt St Kevock, St Kenochis, St Cavocks and St Evox. The church was still known by this name in the 18th century. There are houses in the village with some of these names.
The church of Sanquar (now known as Auchincruive Church) was described as a Rectory in 1208. Scott's Fasti (new edition) says, "From 1221-1238 the church of Sanchar belonged to the Gilbertine Priory of St Mary at Dalmulin within the parish. The monks left the Priory in 1238 and from then, until (the) Reformation, it was owned by Paisley Abbey."
There are also potential links to Mochaemhog, an Irish Christian alive in the 7th Century, who may have worked in this area of Scotland and who died in 699.
In this history, until 1952, St Quivox refers to the church in St Quivox village, now known as Auchincruive Church of Ayr: St Quivox Parish. After 1952, the parish was expanded with the building of a second church at Dalmilling, half a mile away in Ayr.
St Quivox Roman Catholic Church in Prestwick has the Saint’s festival day as the 24th February.
A quick overview
St Quivox refers now to the name of the entire Parish, which has two churches: Auchincruive Church in St Quivox village, and Dalmilling Church on Dalmilling Road, Ayr.
Early on, the parish was known as Sanchar-in-Kyle - an area three miles north of the River Ayr and five miles inland. There are still farms with this name in the district. It was dedicated to St Kevoc. To distinguish it from Sanquar in Nithsdale, the Parish came to be called St Kevoc's, which became corrupted to St Quivox.
The name St Kevoc is an unusual and its origins are obscure. It may have been referred to a St Kennocha Virgo in Coila during the reign of Malcolm II (Máel Coluim; c. 954 – 25 November 1034) and has also been spelt St Kevock, St Kenochis, St Cavocks and St Evox. The church was still known by this name in the 18th century. There are houses in the village with some of these names.
The church of Sanquar (now known as Auchincruive Church) was described as a Rectory in 1208. Scott's Fasti (new edition) says, "From 1221-1238 the church of Sanchar belonged to the Gilbertine Priory of St Mary at Dalmulin within the parish. The monks left the Priory in 1238 and from then, until (the) Reformation, it was owned by Paisley Abbey."
There are also potential links to Mochaemhog, an Irish Christian alive in the 7th Century, who may have worked in this area of Scotland and who died in 699.
In this history, until 1952, St Quivox refers to the church in St Quivox village, now known as Auchincruive Church of Ayr: St Quivox Parish. After 1952, the parish was expanded with the building of a second church at Dalmilling, half a mile away in Ayr.
St Quivox Roman Catholic Church in Prestwick has the Saint’s festival day as the 24th February.
References:
Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae (1920) Presbytery of Ayr https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/64/mode/2up?q=st+quivox
Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae (1920) Presbytery of Ayr https://archive.org/details/fastiecclesiaesc03scot/page/64/mode/2up?q=st+quivox
Looking along the original old long hall church south wall, from west, on the left, to east, on the right.
The Scottish Reformation
Until the Scottish Reformation, St Quivox was a Roman Catholic Church. The movement away from Rome began, both in the late 1400s and early 1500s. Scotland lagged behind in the initial stages, but, under the impetus of John Knox, in 1560 officially adopted the reformed Protestant confession of faith, rejecting papal jurisdiction and the Mass, developing a Calvanistic national Kirk (or church). After the Reformation, the church became used for the Protestant form of worship.
Until the Scottish Reformation, St Quivox was a Roman Catholic Church. The movement away from Rome began, both in the late 1400s and early 1500s. Scotland lagged behind in the initial stages, but, under the impetus of John Knox, in 1560 officially adopted the reformed Protestant confession of faith, rejecting papal jurisdiction and the Mass, developing a Calvanistic national Kirk (or church). After the Reformation, the church became used for the Protestant form of worship.
1547 -1759
From 1547 until 1618, the Patron of St Quivox Church was Alan, Fourth Lord Cathcart, the owner of the Auchincruive and Sundrum Estates. Alan was born in 1537, He was an early adherent to the Protestantism of John Knox, and agreed by bond to the Reformed religion. His interest in the St Quivox was considerable, and he instructed the first restoration in 1595.
(In 1569, after the defeat of Queen Mary's forces at Langside, Lord Cathcart joined the Regents Council Board and was created a member of the Privy Council. In 1610, he was appointed one of the first Justices of the Peace in Ayr.)
After 1560, it was difficult to get a sufficient number of qualified ministers acceptable to the new regime, and a class of Probationers known as Readers, (or Exhorters), was employed.
These Readers (who were really lay assistants), were placed one in each Parish under the direction of the regional ordained Ministers. Generally they were precluded from solemnizing marriages or administering the sacraments.
The Church of St Quivox was served intermittently by four Readers from 1567 till 1591. After this, all the occupants of the charge were ordained ministers.
The second of these Readers, Hew Kennedy had to cover a lot of ground, as do many ministers in linked or united charges nowadays, as he served under the supervision and director of Maister Johnne Nisbett, Minister of Tarbolton, Barnwell, St Kenochis, Prestwick and Monckton!
We now a continuous record of the Ministers who have served this parish.
In 1755, the population of the parish was 499, from 96 families. There were four blacksmiths, four masons, five colliers, three weavers, thirty farmers and forty-three part time labourers.
In 1759, Auchincruive Estate was bought by Richard Oswald, a London merchant, and son of the parish minister at Dunnet, in Caithness.
From 1547 until 1618, the Patron of St Quivox Church was Alan, Fourth Lord Cathcart, the owner of the Auchincruive and Sundrum Estates. Alan was born in 1537, He was an early adherent to the Protestantism of John Knox, and agreed by bond to the Reformed religion. His interest in the St Quivox was considerable, and he instructed the first restoration in 1595.
(In 1569, after the defeat of Queen Mary's forces at Langside, Lord Cathcart joined the Regents Council Board and was created a member of the Privy Council. In 1610, he was appointed one of the first Justices of the Peace in Ayr.)
After 1560, it was difficult to get a sufficient number of qualified ministers acceptable to the new regime, and a class of Probationers known as Readers, (or Exhorters), was employed.
These Readers (who were really lay assistants), were placed one in each Parish under the direction of the regional ordained Ministers. Generally they were precluded from solemnizing marriages or administering the sacraments.
The Church of St Quivox was served intermittently by four Readers from 1567 till 1591. After this, all the occupants of the charge were ordained ministers.
The second of these Readers, Hew Kennedy had to cover a lot of ground, as do many ministers in linked or united charges nowadays, as he served under the supervision and director of Maister Johnne Nisbett, Minister of Tarbolton, Barnwell, St Kenochis, Prestwick and Monckton!
We now a continuous record of the Ministers who have served this parish.
In 1755, the population of the parish was 499, from 96 families. There were four blacksmiths, four masons, five colliers, three weavers, thirty farmers and forty-three part time labourers.
In 1759, Auchincruive Estate was bought by Richard Oswald, a London merchant, and son of the parish minister at Dunnet, in Caithness.
1759 -1900
Auchincruive Estate now belonged to Richard Oswald, and the Patronage of the church went with the sale. In 1765 he presented to the church beautiful silver Communion-ware, still in use today. (Not stored in the church.)
Richard Oswald in 1767 oversaw the second restoration. He had built the Auchincruive Gallery and the underlying burial vault. The church was "repaired, uniformly seated, and plastered by the heritors; and a new aile built by the Patron"
By 1792, the parish population had grown to 250 families, mainly living in what had become known as Wallacetown. (Wallacetown had developed from land north of the Auld Brig which Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie had feued for building.) By 1835, a separate church was built to serve this area and was declared a separate parish the following year.
The next changes in the Auchincruive Church were the addition in 1825 of the Whittlets and Craigie Galleries for the families of those names with their respective staircases .
All three galleries are only accessible from outside the main church building via their own staircases.
Auchincruive Estate now belonged to Richard Oswald, and the Patronage of the church went with the sale. In 1765 he presented to the church beautiful silver Communion-ware, still in use today. (Not stored in the church.)
Richard Oswald in 1767 oversaw the second restoration. He had built the Auchincruive Gallery and the underlying burial vault. The church was "repaired, uniformly seated, and plastered by the heritors; and a new aile built by the Patron"
By 1792, the parish population had grown to 250 families, mainly living in what had become known as Wallacetown. (Wallacetown had developed from land north of the Auld Brig which Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie had feued for building.) By 1835, a separate church was built to serve this area and was declared a separate parish the following year.
The next changes in the Auchincruive Church were the addition in 1825 of the Whittlets and Craigie Galleries for the families of those names with their respective staircases .
All three galleries are only accessible from outside the main church building via their own staircases.
1900 - 2000
Auchincruive Church remained relatively unchanged in layout during the twentieth Century,
The Parish of St Quivox itself, however, underwent major changes.
Following WW2, the population of Whitletts was expanding, and new housing was built at Dalmilling and Whitletts. It was agreed that a 'church in the midst' was necessary. This church was designed to be an extension of Auchincruive Church and was built as a "Hall Church" i.e. one
building with open seating, a stage at one end and a Sanctuary at the other. Dalmilling Church was opened and dedicated on the 2nd September 1953.
A further two halls and attendant facilities were added and officially opened and dedicated on the 21st February 1975. The main hall was named “The Wilson Hall” after the Wilson family.
In September 1981, a union took place between St. Quivox and Lochside Churches which lasted until 2008, when Lochside Church was joined with St. Columba Church, Ayr.
In 1985, Auchincruive Church underwent extensive roof repairs, renovations to the heating and lighting systems and was redecorated, at a cost of around £83k.
Auchincruive Church remained relatively unchanged in layout during the twentieth Century,
The Parish of St Quivox itself, however, underwent major changes.
Following WW2, the population of Whitletts was expanding, and new housing was built at Dalmilling and Whitletts. It was agreed that a 'church in the midst' was necessary. This church was designed to be an extension of Auchincruive Church and was built as a "Hall Church" i.e. one
building with open seating, a stage at one end and a Sanctuary at the other. Dalmilling Church was opened and dedicated on the 2nd September 1953.
A further two halls and attendant facilities were added and officially opened and dedicated on the 21st February 1975. The main hall was named “The Wilson Hall” after the Wilson family.
In September 1981, a union took place between St. Quivox and Lochside Churches which lasted until 2008, when Lochside Church was joined with St. Columba Church, Ayr.
In 1985, Auchincruive Church underwent extensive roof repairs, renovations to the heating and lighting systems and was redecorated, at a cost of around £83k.
2000 - the present day
In 2016, the UK Government released funds for Roof Repairs to Listed Religious buildings. A team from St Quivox successfully bid for funding from this and other sources which allowed further repairs to Auchincruive Church roof.
2016 was a busy year for upkeep. A dedicated hand washing sink, was fitted in the Auchincruive Vestry, the Vestry floor was recovered, and the inside of Auchincruive Church and Vestry repainted. The Fabric Team also re-floored the crypt area to allow it to be used as a meeting room.
One of the more major changes in St Quivox Parish, however, has been in the pattern of conducting Sunday Services.
After the opening of Dalmilling Church, the Minister had traditionally conducted the Sunday Service at 10:00am in Dalmilling Church, then 'hot-footed' it up to Auchincruive to conduct Sunday Worship there. This meant the the minister was unable to chat to the Dalmilling congregation after the service, and had barely time to catch breath before conducting his or her second service of the day, and delivering his or her second sermon of the day in under two hours.
This pattern also seemed to cause a distinct separation of the two congregations, and falling numbers on Sundays made this way of worship unsustainable.
The Rev Ken Yorke 'took the bull by the horns' and proposed that changes should take place. We now worship as one congregation going to either Auchincruive or Dalmilling on alternate Sundays. Our congregation has grown once more with new people moving into the area.
We have no knowledge of what the future holds for this Parish. Many things have happened since the old monks of Dalmullin worshipped here in the 1200s. We do know however, that the ancient church of Auchincruive has been well-loved down through the centuries and remains so dear to all those connected with it today.
In 2016, the UK Government released funds for Roof Repairs to Listed Religious buildings. A team from St Quivox successfully bid for funding from this and other sources which allowed further repairs to Auchincruive Church roof.
2016 was a busy year for upkeep. A dedicated hand washing sink, was fitted in the Auchincruive Vestry, the Vestry floor was recovered, and the inside of Auchincruive Church and Vestry repainted. The Fabric Team also re-floored the crypt area to allow it to be used as a meeting room.
One of the more major changes in St Quivox Parish, however, has been in the pattern of conducting Sunday Services.
After the opening of Dalmilling Church, the Minister had traditionally conducted the Sunday Service at 10:00am in Dalmilling Church, then 'hot-footed' it up to Auchincruive to conduct Sunday Worship there. This meant the the minister was unable to chat to the Dalmilling congregation after the service, and had barely time to catch breath before conducting his or her second service of the day, and delivering his or her second sermon of the day in under two hours.
This pattern also seemed to cause a distinct separation of the two congregations, and falling numbers on Sundays made this way of worship unsustainable.
The Rev Ken Yorke 'took the bull by the horns' and proposed that changes should take place. We now worship as one congregation going to either Auchincruive or Dalmilling on alternate Sundays. Our congregation has grown once more with new people moving into the area.
We have no knowledge of what the future holds for this Parish. Many things have happened since the old monks of Dalmullin worshipped here in the 1200s. We do know however, that the ancient church of Auchincruive has been well-loved down through the centuries and remains so dear to all those connected with it today.
Restoration.
The next change to the church was made in 1767 by Mr Richard Oswald when he added the Auchincruive gallery and the underlying burial vault. The Church "was repaired, uniformly seated, and plaistered by the heritors; and a new aile built by the Patron".
Auchincruive Estate had been purchased by Mr Oswald in 1764 and the Patronage of the Church went with the sale. It is worth noting that in 1765, Mr Richard Oswald presented the Communion Cups to the Church which are still in use.
A further addition was made early in the 19th century (most probably the Whitletts and Craigie galleries). This was the final change to the church and so it has remained to the present day.
The Rev. J. P. Wilson wrote in 1930 -
"In its present form which it has retained almost unchanged externally and internally since the days of Sir Walter Scott, with its outside gallery stairs and its plain unvarnished pews, it has a homely attractiveness and a quaint interest of its own. Box pews are still in evidence and ladles continue to be used for taking up the collection".
It is interesting to note the number of old and unusual tombstones in the churchyard. At least one dates back to 1657 and there are quite a number in the 1700's. As the church goes back to the 13th. century and the oldest tombstone is some four centuries later, are we to assume that the earlier burials were made elsewhere?
Auchincruive Estate had been purchased by Mr Oswald in 1764 and the Patronage of the Church went with the sale. It is worth noting that in 1765, Mr Richard Oswald presented the Communion Cups to the Church which are still in use.
A further addition was made early in the 19th century (most probably the Whitletts and Craigie galleries). This was the final change to the church and so it has remained to the present day.
The Rev. J. P. Wilson wrote in 1930 -
"In its present form which it has retained almost unchanged externally and internally since the days of Sir Walter Scott, with its outside gallery stairs and its plain unvarnished pews, it has a homely attractiveness and a quaint interest of its own. Box pews are still in evidence and ladles continue to be used for taking up the collection".
It is interesting to note the number of old and unusual tombstones in the churchyard. At least one dates back to 1657 and there are quite a number in the 1700's. As the church goes back to the 13th. century and the oldest tombstone is some four centuries later, are we to assume that the earlier burials were made elsewhere?
A Stonemason's Tools?
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The Garden of Eden.
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Wallacetown
When reading these old accounts, other points of local interest crop up. One of particular interest to us is Wallacetown which was part of St Quivox Parish.
In 1793, the district of Wallacetown was growing rapidly. This influx of inhabitants was due to the extensive collieries on the Blackhouse estate in the Parish and on the lands belonging to the community of Newton adjoining it.
Further, a considerable number from Ireland and the West Highlands settled here as weavers, day-labourers etc "because they got higher wages than at home". Being three miles distant from the Parish Church, many took the opportunity of attending public worship at Newton but (we learn from the records) "they had no seats"!
So, the growth of the population in this area led to a state of imbalance and it was agreed that a new, near-at-hand church was called for. By 1836, following sanction the previous year by the General Assembly, Wallacetown became disjoined 'quoad sacra' from the Parish of St Quivox. It is good to know that, to this day, the good people of Wallacetown regard St Quivox as their 'Mother Church'.
In 1793, the district of Wallacetown was growing rapidly. This influx of inhabitants was due to the extensive collieries on the Blackhouse estate in the Parish and on the lands belonging to the community of Newton adjoining it.
Further, a considerable number from Ireland and the West Highlands settled here as weavers, day-labourers etc "because they got higher wages than at home". Being three miles distant from the Parish Church, many took the opportunity of attending public worship at Newton but (we learn from the records) "they had no seats"!
So, the growth of the population in this area led to a state of imbalance and it was agreed that a new, near-at-hand church was called for. By 1836, following sanction the previous year by the General Assembly, Wallacetown became disjoined 'quoad sacra' from the Parish of St Quivox. It is good to know that, to this day, the good people of Wallacetown regard St Quivox as their 'Mother Church'.
Some statistics from the Parish may also be of interest:
In 1767, the total population of the Parish was:
In the country - 96 families, being 490 souls
In Wallacetown - 250 families, being 960 souls
The combined total of 1,450 people (souls) shows an increase of 951 over the total for 1755.
A day labourer lived comfortably on a shilling a day, and the schoolmaster's salary was £12 per annum plus school fees, bringing the total to about £24 plus house and garden. Men servants received from £6 to £8 a year in wages and women servants from £3 to £4 a year.
From the 'Statistical Account' of that period, we further read that "There are about 20 on the Poor’s List who receive only 2 shillings each per month contributed by the Church (this figure was later increased to 10 shillings in very needy cases), and even this small amount could not be afforded them from the weekly collections in the church, but the Kirk Session has received in donations and legacies during the last ten years above £100 which they distributed among the poor”.
To those who in 1837 were members of Friendly Societies and contributed weekly while in work, infirmity and sickness benefits amounted to 4 shillings per week, plus a marriage allowance and funeral expenses.
In 1767, the total population of the Parish was:
In the country - 96 families, being 490 souls
In Wallacetown - 250 families, being 960 souls
The combined total of 1,450 people (souls) shows an increase of 951 over the total for 1755.
A day labourer lived comfortably on a shilling a day, and the schoolmaster's salary was £12 per annum plus school fees, bringing the total to about £24 plus house and garden. Men servants received from £6 to £8 a year in wages and women servants from £3 to £4 a year.
From the 'Statistical Account' of that period, we further read that "There are about 20 on the Poor’s List who receive only 2 shillings each per month contributed by the Church (this figure was later increased to 10 shillings in very needy cases), and even this small amount could not be afforded them from the weekly collections in the church, but the Kirk Session has received in donations and legacies during the last ten years above £100 which they distributed among the poor”.
To those who in 1837 were members of Friendly Societies and contributed weekly while in work, infirmity and sickness benefits amounted to 4 shillings per week, plus a marriage allowance and funeral expenses.
Acknowledgements
The following References are acknowledged:
Nana Taylor – Session Clerk, 1982- 2004 – A Short History of St. Quivox Church – 1994.
Notes copied over 70 years ago by Mr Peter Forrest of The Old Schoolhouse, St Quivox, a former session Clerk of the Church;
The Old and New Statistical Accounts of Scotland, 1793 and 1897;
"Life and Work" August 1930;
St Quivox Kirk Session Minutes.
Photographs: David McMahon.
Nana Taylor – Session Clerk, 1982- 2004 – A Short History of St. Quivox Church – 1994.
Notes copied over 70 years ago by Mr Peter Forrest of The Old Schoolhouse, St Quivox, a former session Clerk of the Church;
The Old and New Statistical Accounts of Scotland, 1793 and 1897;
"Life and Work" August 1930;
St Quivox Kirk Session Minutes.
Photographs: David McMahon.