Logie Kirk

Logie Kirk is an isolated but operational church east of Stirling in central Scotland serving Church of Scotland pastoral duties in the areas of Cambuskenneth, Bridge of Allan, Causewayhead (eastern Stirling), and formerly the estate of Airthrey Castle (now the grounds of Stirling University).[1]

Logie Kirk and graveyard

The church lies on the B998 close to the junction with the A91, between Stirling and Menstrie, or more accurately between the Wallace Monument and Blairlogie.

Old Kirk
Old Logie Kirk

The church is one of the oldest Christian sites in Scotland, being established during the reign of King David I of Scotland (between 1124 and 1153). A church dedicated to St Serf was built here by at least 1183. The church was rebuilt in 1380 and survived in use until after the Reformation (1560). The current ruins are from a church commissioned by Rev Alexander Fargy who served the parish from 1560 to 1592.[2] The church was ruinous in 1684 and Rev George Shaw organised its reconstruction.

The manse stood to the west in the grounds of Airthrey Castle and dated from around 1590, Rev Fargy having resided in Tullibody. A new manse was built in 1698 by Rev Douglas.

The church was originally linked to a priory at North Berwick under the diocese of Dunblane Cathedral but post-Reformation came under the patronage of Robert, Lord Elphinstone.[3]

The remnants of the original church lie to the north of the current church (at 56°09′03″N 3°54′32″W). The tiny churchyard has many ancient stones (including some 12th century hogback graves) and several notable burials:

New Kirk
Logie Kirk

The current church dates from 1805 and was built under the instruction of Rev Robert Clason (died 1831) on land gifted by Sir Robert Abercromby of Airthrey.[4] A new manse was built at the same time. The architect for both was William Stirling of Dunblane. The church has been remodelled several times.[2]

Ministers
  • Alexander Fargy served 1560 to 1592
  • Rev John Millar served 1592 to 1597
  • Very Rev Alexander Hume served 1597 to 1609 famous for his poetry and as Moderator of the General Assembly
  • On Hume's untimely death in 1609 there was a gap in ministry
  • Rev James Saittone or Seytoun of Denny served 1610 to 1615.
  • Rev Henry Shaw or Schaw served 1615 to 1648. Shaw (or Schaw) was a descendant of Sir James Schaw of Sauchie. He is sometimes referred to as Shaw of Knockhill.
  • His son Rev George Shaw succeeded him and was minister from 1648 to 1688 giving a total family tie to the church of 73 years.
  • During the troubles of 1688 to 1690 the church appointed Rev Alexander Douglass, son of Very Rev Robert Douglass of Edinburgh, but Shaw did not give up the church or manse so Douglass preached from a rival hall in Blairlogie
  • Shaw was forced to retire in 1690 and Alexander Douglas properly succeeded him serving until 1720
  • Rev Partick Duchal served 1721 to 1758 at his death, followed by a period of vacancy
  • Rev James Wright (1720-1800) from Dairsie served 1761 (an unpopular choice causing a schism and a rival Secession Church). Wright also troubled the Presbytery more widely causing him to be charged with Bribery and Simony in 1771. He died in 1800 after 40 years of unpopular service.
  • Rev Robert Clason, served 1801 until 1831, father to very Rev Patrick Clason, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland 1848/49
  • Rev William Robertson of Alloa who had previously served in Muckhart served 1832 until 1843 when he was translated to Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh
  • Rev Robert John Johnstone from Wooler, previously serving in Auchtermuchty, served 1844 to 1871 (death)
  • Rev David Neil Imrie served 1872 until 1884 when he translated to St Johns in Edinburgh
  • Rev Robert Menzies Fergusson from Sorn served 1885 until at least 1909
  • Rev David Smith (1923-1997) served 1965 to 1989 and was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 1985/6
  • Rev Stuart Fulton served until 2017
  • Rev Ruth Halley began 2017

References
  1. "Logie Kirk Parish Church for Causewayhead, Cambuskenneth and Bridge of Allan". logiekirk.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  2. "Logie Old Kirk near Stirling Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland". undiscoveredscotland.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  3. Logie: A Parish History by Menzies Fergusson 1905
  4. "Church History". Logie Kirk. Retrieved 2018-02-05.

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