Auld Kirk and Graveyard

About Auld Kirk and Graveyard

When the Scots conquered Lothian in 1018, the original chapel of St Mary of Wedale passed into the diocese of St Andrews. It was famous throughout the Middle Ages for its privilege of sanctuary and for a relic of St Andrew.
On 3rd November 1242, Bishop David de Berhham of St Andrews consecrated the church of St Mary. The church replaced the original chapel which lay half a mile to the south.
The church was rebuilt over the centuries most notably in the late 15th century and then again in the 17th century. The present ruins date from the 17th century. The church structure comprised a nave and chancel and south aisle and had an outside stair which was added around 1660. The church was in use until 1876 when the new parish church was built.
The gravestones surrounding the Auld Kirk show various examples of funerary sculpture and mark the graves of many old Stow families.