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.

Greyfriars Church and Burns statue

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
  • Current 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] On 9 December 2021 St Bride's Anglican Church sold the church and moved to another site in Dumfries. Greyfriars was bought by the Orthodox Diocese of Whithorn.[8]

Images of stonework
  • Ornate decorative stonework around front doors of Greyfriars Church, Dumfries
    Ornate decorative stonework around front doors of Greyfriars Church, Dumfries
  • Detail of flowers carved in red sandstone
    Detail of carved flowers
  • Female statue carved from red sandstone on Grayfriars Church, Dumfries
    Carved female statue on Grayfriars Church, Dumfries
  • Statue carved from red sandstone on Grayfriars Church, Dumfries
    Carved statue on Grayfriars Church, Dumfries

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "St Bride's Anglican Church (former Greyfriars' Church), Church Crescent, Dumfries (LB26126)". Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  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.
  3. "Article". Dumfries & Galloway Standard & Advertiser. 10 May 1865.
  4. "Article". Dumfries & Galloway Standard & Advertiser. 24 May 1865.
  5. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  6. "Greyfriars Church: About Us". ST BRIDE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  7. "News". ST BRIDE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  8. "Home". greyfriarsdumfries.com.
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