Restoration Project 2006 to 2008

Restoring the Building……. .……Renewing the Church

The site occupied by St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church has been a place of Christian worship for many centuries and has contributed to the religious, social, cultural and historical development of the town and also of the greater area.

The Church gained collegiate status in 1406 at which time work on the present building was begun. Over the intervening centuries it has had both an illustrious and a turbulent history, serving as a parish church since the 15th century, witnessing the Reformation in the 16th, being subjected to the ravages of war in the 17th, seeing witch trials instigated by one of its ministers in the 18th and been extensively restored in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

This Church has always been a place of Christian worship for generations of townsfolk and visitors. It is a challenge to ensure that the Church’s fine heritage continues so that future generations too may find solace and spiritual inspiration within this ancient building.

The upkeep of such an important and historic Church demands continual maintenance. The cost of this regular work is taking on willingly by the congregation.

In early 2006 a specialist architectural survey indicated that there was serious degradation of the stonework in many parts of the building which required essential restoration. The work involved was not for cosmetic purposes but rather for structural and conservation reasons to ensure the continued life of the building. A major appeal and fundraising programme was undertaken to meet the high costs of the work. The Project was supported by Historic Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Church of Scotland General Trustees, the Baird Trust, Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Fund and with the great help of the congregation and friends of the Church. Throughout 2007 and early 2008, the work was carried out under the supervision of Chrichton Lang, Willis and Galloway, accredited conservation architects, and was undertaken by Watson Stonecraft Ltd.

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