This work is evidently very late in style, but it can scarcely be so late as Mr. Jervise supposes. He says:--“I am inclined to ascribe the erection of the Sacrament House, if not the Kirk, of Auchindoir to the laird and lady whose arms and initials are upon shields within it. One of these shields, dated 1557, bears the Gordon arms and motto, HOIP IN
[Illustration: FIG. 705.--Auchindoir Church. Sacrament House.]
GOD; the second, initialed V·G:C·C·, presents the arms of Gordon and Cheyne, impaled with the motto, GRACE ME GYID.”
There can be no doubt that Mr. Jervise is in error as to the church being erected in 1557; but it was probably altered at that date, as the eastern or priests’ doorway in the south wall (which is now square headed, and has a transome and upper light over it) bears the date 1557. That was probably the time when the church was altered for Presbyterian worship. The sculptured ambry was probably executed in the early part of the sixteenth century, before the Reformation.
In 1513-14 the Church of Auchindoir was erected into a prebend of King’s College Chapel, Aberdeen. That would be a likely time for the introduction of the sacrament house. The building continued to be employed for divine service till 1810, when a new church was erected in the neighbourhood. The old churchyard which surrounds the old church is still used for interment.
When this church ceased to be used for service, the roof and woodwork were sold, and some of the panelling, including the back of the pulpit, which is carved with shields, is preserved in a farmhouse in the vicinity.
ST. CUTHBERT’S, MONKTON; AND ST. NICHOLAS’, PRESTWICK, AYRSHIRE.
These two ruined churches are situated within a mile of one another on the level ground near the sea, which forms the basin of the river Ayr, near its mouth.
[Illustration: FIG. 706.--St. Cuthbert’s Church. Plan.]
Prestwick is an ancient town, which had a parish church; while Monkton derived its name from the residence of a body of monks from Paisley. Both St. Nicholas’ and St. Cuthbert’s were originally churches of Prestwick, and were distinguished as Prestwick de Burgo and Prestwick Monachorum. Both these churches were bestowed on Paisley Abbey, in 1163, by Walter, son of the Great Steward of Scotland, and endowed with valuable lands.