Designated 1 March 1984 Designated 29 october 1969 Year built 1621 | Reference no. 2610 Reference no. 788 Built for John Spottiswoode | |
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Location Dairsie, Fife, Scotland
GB grid reference NO413161 | ||
Dairsie Old Church, formerly St Mary's Church, is the former parish church of Dairsie, in north-east Fife, Scotland. It is located around 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) south of Dairsie village. The present church was built in 1621, and is an unusual example of post-Reformation Gothic architecture in Scotland. It is no longer in use as a church, and is protected as a Category A listed building, and as a scheduled ancient monument.
History
A church at Dairsie is recorded in 1183. In 1300 the church was granted to the Convent of St Andrews; it may have been rebuilt at this time.
In 1621, the present church was built by John Spottiswoode (1565–1639), Archbishop of St Andrews, who had recently bought the adjacent Dairsie Castle. The Spottiswoode family crest, with John Spottiswoode's initials, is carved over the west door.
In the late 18th century the original flat roof was replaced with the present piend (hipped) roof. A major refit was carried out in 1835–1837, including works to the interior, although most of this has since been removed.
Ecclesiastical use of the church ceased in 1966, the congregation now using the former Free Church in Dairsie village.