Durisdeer Church and the Queensberry Marbles

About Durisdeer Church and the Queensberry Marbles

Durisdeer Church is an attractive Church in Thornhill. The current building dates back to 1719-20 but is believed to have been built on the foundation of an older church.

The north aisle of the church is taller and more intricate than the rest. It was built for the Duke of Queensberry and is the is the real jewel of the church. It contains the monument for the Queensberry burial vault, including the free-standing baldacchino carved in 1695 by John van Nost to the design of James Smith, all in white marble.

The churchyard contains some 17th to 19th century stone monuments, including the martyr’s monument to Daniel MacMichael.