Auchtertool Kirk Est. 1178. Welcome to the website of Auchtertool Parish Church

The churchyard

Walk around the churchyard and view some of the stones and memorials which are there.

The oldest stone marks the grave of James Burnlie who died in 1604. Although it is quite worn, you will notice the last traces of hi crest on the stone, as well as one representing his wife.

There is also a stone marking the grave of one of the first minister: Rev. David Martin. It shows the recumbent figure of the minister dressed in his gown and bands.

In the far corner, near to the side gate of the former manse, you will find the grave of Rev. Walter Welsh, who was so familiar with Thomas Carlyle. The manse itself has been a private house eve since Auchtertool began to share its minister with another church. It is easy to imagine that the famous author once sat in the grounds, appreciating tile world of nature around him.

Looking at the manse and the church, you might well assume that Auchtertool’s ministers used to enjoy a quiet life—however, there were always incidents which kept them on their toes.

Auchtertool found itself unwittingly caught up in the events of first Jacobite Rebellion While the rebel Earl of Mar was in Perth; he received news that a loyalist vessel (carrying arms) had anchored at Burntisland. Mar made a successful bid to capture the vessel and advanced 500 highland troops into Auchtertool to be held in reserve. These soldiers turned out to be somewhat undisciplined. They ran amok, plundering the village. It is reported that the manse was one of the houses which received their attention. Rev. Andrew Elliot was the unfortunate minister who experienced this.

Another sign of local excitement is the Janker stone which lies in the graveyard; stones like these were placed over coffins inside the graves in an attempt to foil grave robbers. Auchtertool’s churchyard has always been a secluded place and in the past the minister was very often out of the manse; this meant that the churchyard was a perfect spot for the crimes of the “resurrectionists” to take place.

Sometimes the activities of the grave robbers were discovered; a local association was set up, which used iron coffins and janker stones to protect newly buried bodies. For a spell there were even armed guards watching the churchyard. The Janker stone itself was pinned in place with a series of iron bars.

Also take a look at the belfry; this contains the new bell which in fact dates back to 1887. It was gifted by the minister Rev. Donald Macmillan and bears an inscription.

Auchtertool Kirk Ministers Since the Reformation

Name Comments
1574 William Thalland A “reader” appointed before there were enough Reformed ministers.
1588 Dr Michaelson Then went to Markinch
1590 James Tullis Died aged 36
1605 David Martin Monument in churchyard
1636 William Bell Feuded with the laird, Andrew Skene; witches denounced during his ministry
1641 Joshua Meldrum Then went to Kinghorn
1651 Andrew Walker Then went to Beith
1663 John Wilkie Died six weeks after marrying
1665 Thomas Lister Then went to Aberdour
1672 John Blair Then moved to Scoonie
1686 Henry Balfour Deposed by presbytery for favouring bishops
1693 Martin Shanks Moved to Aberdeenshire, but Auchtertool tried to call him back
1700 Andrew Elliot Presbytery Clerk; had not served communion after three years because of sinfulness of the parish!
1745 Henry Moir Perhaps buried in the church
1786 John Scott Then went to Dalgetty
1797 Francis Nicoll Then went to Dundee, but later became principal of United College, St Andrews
1800 David Guild Son of Auchtertool schoolmaster
1842 Walter Welsh Cousin of Thomas Carlyle's wife
1880 Andrew Miller Introduced music to the Kirk; then went to Glasgow
1886 Donald Macmillan Raised funds for the new church bell; then went to Glasgow
1891 William Stevenson The man, by whose efforts the history of Auchtertool was so carefully catalogued.
1908 J.S.W. Irvine Acquired a doctorate while ministering here.
1936 J.D. Thomson Formerly worked for railways
1948 James Gibb Reputedly a good academic
1956 Alfred S. Barron His wife taught at the school
1958 Duncan Ainslie Then went to Monifieth
1969 Joseph Easton Well qualified academic; also minister of Burntisland.
1977 Donald Mackenzie Also minister of Burntisland; currently assisting at Kirkcaldy: Pathhead.
1986 John Cowie Also minister of Kirkcaldy: Invertiel; now in Amsterdam.
1991 George Cowie Also minister of Kirkcaldy: Linktown; now at Holburn Central Aberdeen.
2000 Catriona Morrison Also minister of Kirkcaldy: Linktown.

References

  1. Rev. William Stevenson, M.A., F.S.A. Scot. Kirk and Parish of Auchtertool, (James Burt, Kirkcaldy, 1908)

  2. Baptismal Register of Auchtertool Parish, 1882—1996.

  3. Rev. Patrick Grant, personal diary, 1860’s.

Compiled and edited in 1996 by Rev. George S. Cowie, B.S.C., B.D.,
Minister of Auchtertool. (1991—1999)

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