A brief history of St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church

St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church was established as a result of the union of St Nicholas Parish Church and the West Parish Church in 1980. The united congregation opted to use the buildings of St Nicholas Church, known locally as “the Auld Kirk”. The history of the St Nicholas Church in Dalkeith is, in many ways, the history of the town itself.  It is thought that a chapel dedicated to St Nicholas has stood on the site of the current Church since the early 12th Century. It is known that the Church gained collegiate status in 1406, which date marks the begging of the building of the present church, which was largely completed by 1420. The architectural outline of the 1420 building conforms to that of the present day in many respects with the notable exception of the steeple which was erected much later.

Here a few other significant dates in the Church’s history:

1565: Robert Wilson became the first minister of the reformed church in Dalkeith

1590: The erection of the wall sealing off the Apse

1592: Dalkeith Church established as a parish by Parliament

1650: Cromwell’s troops and horses were stabled within the Church building

1660: Over the next 180 years, lofts were constructed in the Church and were used by the various trades within Dalkeith such as Bakers, Fleshers, Dyers, Weavers, Skinners, Tailors, Shoemakers, Colliers, Hammermen and Gardeners. The Hammermen’s Banner is still displayed in the church.

1770: The Apse roof collapses due to neglect

1851: Church closed for extensive restoration and worship takes place in new West Church

1854: St Nicholas Church reopens and West Church becomes a Parish Church

1879: Buccleuch Street Church built

1888: Present Steeple and vestry erected after the fire of 1885

1936: Restoration of the chancel including current pulpit

2007: Extensive work undertaken to replace damaged stonework

2020: Interior of church repainted