Whitekirk Parish Church
Dunbar East Lothian
EH42 1XS
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Who we are
St Mary’s has since the Reformation been part of the Church of Scotland, however it was originally a pilgrimage church and it is in that tradition that we welcome all, locals and visitors alike, to our church, our services, and any events we organise.
We are linked with the parish of Athelstaneford.
Parish profile:
http://www.whitekirkvillage.com/downloads/A+W&T_ParishProfile-281019.pdf
We are linked with the parish of Athelstaneford.
Parish profile:
http://www.whitekirkvillage.com/downloads/A+W&T_ParishProfile-281019.pdf
Location of worship
Whitekirk Church
Dunbar,
East Lothian
EH42 1XS
United Kingdom
Phone: 0131 447 3224
Click here to contact the church
Church Pastor
Rev Thomas J Gordon
Minister
Whitekirk Church
Dunbar,
East Lothian
EH42 1XS
United Kingdom
Phone: 01875 812262
Click here to contact Rev Thomas J Gordon
Denomination
Church of Scotland
Affiliations
Church Website
Whitekirk Parish Church on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev Thomas J Gordon
Leader Position:
Minister
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Rev Thomas J Gordon
Leader Bio:
Rev Thomas J Gordon on Social Media:
Other Church Leaders:
Administration
Admin Name:
Dr. Thomas Torrance
Admin Position:
Session Clerk
Admin Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Admin Email:
Click here to contact Dr. Thomas Torrance
Mailing Address
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Whitekirk Parish Church Service Times
Services are held each Sunday at 11.30 am.
We celebrate Holy Communion on the second Sunday of January, March, May, July, and September and the 1st Sunday of November.
Family services are usually on the 4th Sunday of the month, though this may vary at Easter and Christmas (please contact the locum minister for more information).
It's been more than 4 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
We celebrate Holy Communion on the second Sunday of January, March, May, July, and September and the 1st Sunday of November.
Family services are usually on the 4th Sunday of the month, though this may vary at Easter and Christmas (please contact the locum minister for more information).
It's been more than 4 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Worship Languages
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Local outreach & community activities
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Prayers and Hymns
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information
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Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
Whitekirk Parish Church History
With its origins dating back to the 12th century, St Mary's Parish Church is one of the very few mediaeval parish churches still in active use in Scotland.
Much of the fabric of the existing church dates to a major reconstruction beginning in 1439, when Adam Hepburn of Hailes built the vaulted stone choir. The main layout and structure of the church has survived largely intact since then, although everything but the stone walls and vaulting were destroyed by fire in 1914, allegedly by suffragette protestors. Restoration of the church began in 1917, and today's interior is largely a result of that work, with the wagon roof, communion table, pulpit, lectern and font all by Scottish architect and furniture designer Sir Robert Lorimer.
Miracles and a Pope
From the 1300s, miracles were being reported by people drinking at the nearby well (reputedly dedicated to St Baldred), and Whitekirk quickly became a major centre for pilgrimage. By 1413, there were some fifteen thousand visitors to the village, and King James I placed the church under his protection, building hostels to shelter the growing number of pilgrims. Among them was the future Pope Pius II, who walked there barefoot through snow from Dunbar to give thanks for having been spared a shipwreck there in 1435.
The holy well
The exact location of the holy well, which is the reason for the existence of our church, is sadly no longer known, as it is said to have been filled in during the early 19th century. Efforts have been made to trace it, but as yet without success. The search is continuing, however, and we will bring an update on our findings as soon as possible.
Much of the fabric of the existing church dates to a major reconstruction beginning in 1439, when Adam Hepburn of Hailes built the vaulted stone choir. The main layout and structure of the church has survived largely intact since then, although everything but the stone walls and vaulting were destroyed by fire in 1914, allegedly by suffragette protestors. Restoration of the church began in 1917, and today's interior is largely a result of that work, with the wagon roof, communion table, pulpit, lectern and font all by Scottish architect and furniture designer Sir Robert Lorimer.
From the 1300s, miracles were being reported by people drinking at the nearby well (reputedly dedicated to St Baldred), and Whitekirk quickly became a major centre for pilgrimage. By 1413, there were some fifteen thousand visitors to the village, and King James I placed the church under his protection, building hostels to shelter the growing number of pilgrims. Among them was the future Pope Pius II, who walked there barefoot through snow from Dunbar to give thanks for having been spared a shipwreck there in 1435.
The holy well
The exact location of the holy well, which is the reason for the existence of our church, is sadly no longer known, as it is said to have been filled in during the early 19th century. Efforts have been made to trace it, but as yet without success. The search is continuing, however, and we will bring an update on our findings as soon as possible.
Whitekirk Parish Church FAQs
Question: Where is Whitekirk Parish Church located?
Answer: Whitekirk Parish Church is located at Whitekirk Church, Dunbar, East Lothian.
Question: Who is Whitekirk Parish Church's pastor?
Answer: Whitekirk Parish Church's pastor is Rev Thomas J Gordon.
Question: What time is service at Whitekirk Parish Church?
Answer: Services are held each Sunday at 11.30 am. We celebrate Holy Communion on the second Sunday of January, March, May, July, and September and the 1st Sunday of November. Family services are usually on the 4th Sunday of the month, though this may vary at Easter and Christmas (please contact the locum minister for more information).
Question: What is Whitekirk Parish Church's website?
Answer: http://www.whitekirkvillage.com/church.html
Question: What denominaiton is Whitekirk Parish Church?
Answer: Whitekirk Parish Church belongs to Church of Scotland denomination.
Answer: Whitekirk Parish Church is located at Whitekirk Church, Dunbar, East Lothian.
Question: Who is Whitekirk Parish Church's pastor?
Answer: Whitekirk Parish Church's pastor is Rev Thomas J Gordon.
Question: What time is service at Whitekirk Parish Church?
Answer: Services are held each Sunday at 11.30 am. We celebrate Holy Communion on the second Sunday of January, March, May, July, and September and the 1st Sunday of November. Family services are usually on the 4th Sunday of the month, though this may vary at Easter and Christmas (please contact the locum minister for more information).
Question: What is Whitekirk Parish Church's website?
Answer: http://www.whitekirkvillage.com/church.html
Question: What denominaiton is Whitekirk Parish Church?
Answer: Whitekirk Parish Church belongs to Church of Scotland denomination.
"The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him".John Climacus
Whitekirk Parish Church listing was last updated on the 10th of February, 2020
