Description

17th century origin, largely rebuilt 1732 as rectangular box, N aisle and tower added 1836 by John Buonarotti Papworth. 17th century bellcote removed form Kirkmaiden Church (Glasserton Parish) to Glasserton in early 19th century. 1732 rectangular church on E-W axis with iasle and tower to N, 1836 giving T-plan. Original part shows signs of much rebuilding and alteration. Rubble walling, polished sandstone margins, later work has uniform red sandstone margins with bold tails.

S ELEVATION: symmetrical 4-window front with round-arched windows. Smaller windows to outer bays with 2 large (almost full-height) windows to inner bays, some sash and case all with small-pane glazing. Jambs mainly polished cream sandstone with segmental stones forming arch-heads, possibly later 18th century enlargements. To centre, large blocked round-arched opening original access to pulpit. At upper level flanking outer windows are blocked square headed openings, presumably earlier windows lighting galleries. A worn partly inscribed red sandstone block is re-used as prt of margin to westernmost window. E and W gables have 2 large round arched openings, that to E ground is glazed door. Single bay N aisle with round-arched openings, narrow rubble voussoirs. Sash and case windows with small-pane glazing. Bolection moulded eaves cornice, end skews with skewputts, good graded slate roofs. To W gable small 17th century stone bellcote, weathered date of 1680, originally from Kirkmaiden Church (see separate item). Square section with 4 colonettes at angles and cushion capitals supporting moulded cornice, ogival canopy and ball finial to E gable.

TOWER: dated 1836. Buttressed tower in 3 stages. Rubble with polished red sandstone margins, pointed-arch moulded doorway, 2nd stage with single blind, wide lancets, dwarf lancets to 3rd (blocked in brick). Embattled parapet; to angles, pinnacles rise from buttress set-offs below eaves level to tall crocketted finials.

INTERIOR: galleried to 3 sides with pulpit to centre of S wall.

SESSION HOUSE: single storey, L-plan building at church gate, comprised of wings of 2 dates. Whinstone rubble with ashlar dressings. Early 19th century wing (1-room) with door set in advanced bay, window on return elevation and to rear. Mid 19th century 2-room addition at right angles with door and window to each room, and now partly roofless. 1 window with diamond-pane glazing pattern. Grey graduated slates to both roofs, those to earlier wing large local slate, overhanging eaves. Coped end and 1 brick mutual gable stack.

CHURCHYARD: rubble walled churchyard containing many good 18th and 19th century gravestones. 2 large free-standing mausolea to SE of church and abutting it a rectangular burial site, circa 1595, now roofless, gables to N and S, built into N wall of which is mural monument to Lady Garlies dated 159?. Detached to the E is a classical mid 18th century rectangular-plan roofless enclosure, rubble with rusticated red sandstone quoins. To the N wall round-arched doorway with iron gate. Blind moulded panel over door. Eaves band, good cornice, ball finials at angles. Good pilastered aedicular mural monument to W exterior wall.

Statement of Interest

The Session House is currently in a poor condition. Repairs in progress to pointing and window replacements, 1993.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17570958

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)