Kirkbean Church & Graveyard

From the 12th to the 15th century, this church and parish were under the patronage of the Benedictine nuns of the Collegiate Church of Lincluden, which was founded as a Benedictine nunnery in the 1160s. Then during the next century and a half (1566-1625) or as it is known in Scotland, the reigns of the first five James’s, the church’s patrons were the canons of that same establishment.

Then in 1690 the church became a Free Independent Presbyterian Church of Scotland, On the 1767 church’s completion, its then minister Rev Edward Neilson (a friend of Robert Burns) noted it as “elegant, convenient and sufficient to the needs of the parish”, a classic T shape. The upper tower was not added until 1835. The in 1844 Rev Thomas Grierson wrote, “The entire edifice both inside and outside is regarded as a model for a country parish and there is abundant room in the church for all church-going people. Towards the end of the 19th century, the sanctuary was refurbished with Victorian church furnishings. Kirkbean church was the oldest church in the combined parish of Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean until it closed for public worship in November 2010. It is now a private

dwelling.

The graveyard contains the grave of John Paul Jones’ father, who had been a gardener at nearby Arbigland House. The graveyard which remains accessible to the public, has many notable headstones and is a rich source of family history. With a location map of all the visible stones, to the left just inside the gateway. If you require more information on your family history in this parish, please contact Alice on, info@kirkbean.net

The former Kirkbean Parish Church, now a private residence

The graveyard houses a number of interesting gravestones and memorials

Plaque commenmorating those parish men who survived the Great War