St Nicholas Parish Church, Lanark Explained

St Nicholas Parish Church
Pushpin Map:Scotland South Lanarkshire
Map Caption:Location within South Lanarkshire
Coordinates:55.6736°N -3.7801°W
Osgraw:NS 88127 43668
Location:High Street
Lanark
South Lanarkshire
Country:Scotland
United Kingdom
Denomination:Church of Scotland
Founded Date:13th Century
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Heritage Designation:Category B Listed Building
Designated Date:7 May 1980[1]
Architect:John Reid[2]
Years Built:1774 (Current Building)[3]

St Nicholas Parish Church is a category B listed building and Church of Scotland place of worship in the town centre of Lanark, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.

The original 13th-century chapel was documented as early as 1890, however at that time it was claimed that there were no remnants of that building.[4] A survey in the 1990s conducted by the Lanark and District Archaeological Society was able to find artefacts dating back to the 13th century, as well as 16th century pillars believed to have been constructed by Thomas Twaddle in 1571.[5] Sources also reported evidence of the chapel's continued use in the medieval period and post-Reformation.[6]

Over the front entrance is an eight-foot-tall (approximately 2.4 meters) statue of William Wallace. This dates back to the early 19th century and was sculpted by Robert Forrest.[7]

In 2004, the remains of a well were found on the former grounds of the church during a routine ground breaking. There is documentation of the well's existence dating back to 1662; it was found in what is now Bloomgate, close to the church building, and was filled in after being drained and recorded.[8]

The church has had many ministers over the years, but has been left without a resident minister since 30 November 2014, when the incumbent Rev Alison Meikle left for Grangemouth Zetland.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ST NICHOLAS PARISH CHURCH HIGH STREET. Historic Environment Scotland: Decisions Portal. 10 January 2016.
  2. Web site: St Nicholas Parish Church, Lanark. Scotland's Churches Trust. 10 January 2016.
  3. Web site: Lanark, High Street, St Nicholas Church. Scotland's Places. Historic Environment Scotland. 10 January 2016.
  4. Book: Chalmers. George. Caledonia: or a historical and topographical account of North Britain. 1894. 6. 711. Paisley.
  5. Archer. Ed. Batey. Colleen E. King. Muriel. St Nicholas Parish Church, Lanark (Lanark parish): Church. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 1994. 74–75. 10 January 2016. Council for Scottish Archaeology. Edinburgh. 0419-411X. 090135211X.
  6. Terry. J. Batey. Colleen E. King. Muriel. St Nicholas Parish Church, Lanark (Lanark parish): Excavation inside the church. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 1994. 75. 10 January 2016. Council for Scottish Archaeology. Edinburgh. 0419-411X. 090135211X.
  7. Web site: Lanark, High Street, St Nicholas Church. CANMORE. Historical Environment Scotland. 10 January 2016.
  8. AOC Archaeology Group. Turner. Robin. Bloomgate Well, Lanark (Lanark parish): Medieval/post-medieval well. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 2005. 5. 125. 10 January 2016. Council for Scottish Archaeology. Edinburgh. 0419-411X.
  9. News: McCall. Helen. Rev Alison Meikle leaving St Nicholas Church. 10 January 2016. Lanark Gazette. Johnston Press. 6 November 2014.