Parish Church

The present Parish Church was constructed to replace the previous church located in the kirkyard between 1888 and 1890. The total cost of the project was £1,500, funded by the Heritors, the Church, and the Baird Trust.

The building was erected by Hardy & Wight, utilizing red rock-faced sandstone sourced from the Harrietsfield quarry.

The foundation stone was laid by Sir George Douglas, Bart of Springwood Park, on August 21st, 1899, in the presence of a large assembly. The devotional sessions for this occasion were conducted by Rev. Paterson (Ancrum), Rev. Middleton (Crailing), Rev. Gunn (Oxnam), and Rev. McPhail (Hobkirk).

A selection of items was placed beneath the memorial stone, including a sketch of the old church and a circular for the Bazaar held to raise funds for the church's construction. Additionally, copies of The Scotsman, Jedburgh Gazette, and The Teviotdale Record were included, along with some current coins of the Realm.

The church was designed to accommodate 466 sittings, and as an afterthought, the Presbytery suggested that a harmonium would enhance worship. This proposal was approved during a session meeting held in the village school on March 20th, just in time for the church's opening on May 23rd. The initial membership was recorded at 353, with a bank balance of £8 sterling.

There are lovely stained glass windows on the north, west and south walls, the photos below show them from the inside of the building.

On the south wall, there is a lovely stained-glass window depicting the Last Supper, this was gifted by the family of Rev. John Paton and his wife by their family. It was crafted by A. Ballantyne & Sons in 1906.

On the west wall, there is another stained-glass window this one features Abraham, Dortis and Paul. It was created by James Benson (Glasgow)and was gifted by the parishioners in memory of Rev. James Patterson and his wife, who both passed away in 1906.

Adjacent to this is another window illustrating the Sower and the Reaper, made by A. Ballantyne & Gardiner and presented in 1900 by the sister of William Rutherford, who hailed from Ancrum Craigs. He was educated at Jedburgh Grammar School and later studied medicine at Edinburgh University, earning his doctorate (MD) in 1863.

On the north wall, a vibrant Italian glass window dedicated to the Venerable Bede was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Johnstone in 1958, gifted by their son, William Johnstone OBE.

The final window, while plain, was partially double-glazed in 1895 for the comfort of the congregation.

Inside the church, a brass memorial beside the pulpit honours the ministry of Rev. William Gracie.

The north wall features a framed muster roll of the 104 individuals who served in World War I, accompanied by a detailed record book of the muster roll.

The mounted hymn boards were presented in memory of Rev. Peter Gunn in 1980, and below them, the large communion table was gifted by the family of the late Robert Bruce of Pinnacle in 1952, who served as an elder for many years.

The table lectern, positioned atop the communion table, was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Burgoyne Johnston in 1963.

The organ was a gift from the late Rev. William Gracie in 1933.

The flower stand originated as a font in St. Aiden's South Church, Galashiels. Upon its closure in 2006, the grandchildren of the former minister, Rev. John Rogerson, who passed away in 1936, believed its beautiful shape would make an excellent flower stand.

The font, was carved from an oak tree which was grown in Ancrum Park. It was crafted by James Scott, a joiner and undertaker in the village The angels on the font were said to be inspired by an Italian painting.