Talk:Roxburghshire Towns and Villages S

Smailholm

One of many ancient churches in the borders can be found at Smailholm. The original building was constructed around eight hundred years ago, little of the original building survives but traces can still be seen. The Chancel (the narrowest part of the building in the picture) is the oldest section and has three now blocked up windows from the Norman period. Many of the ancient churches were either destroyed or badly damaged by border raiding parties during the mid 1500's, many of the ruined churches were then abandoned, several churches including Smailholm were used as places of refuge during the attacks. An external staircase, which continues inside the building, leads to the "Laird's Loft", (a raised wooden balcony at the opposite end of the church to the chancel) and allows the Laird an unrestricted view through the entire church towards the minister.

A booklet in the vestry gives information about the memorials within the extensive graveyard and is useful for locating specific memorials.

St Boswells

St Boswells Parish Church was built in 1844. Following the splits in the Scottish Church of 1843 a congregation allied to the Free Church had to use a barn for worship until the church was completed. Subsequent unification in 1900 and 1929 now sees the church fall under the Church Of Scotland. The church sits on the main thoroughfare, close to the large village green and half a mile from the main A68. local stone used throughout the church has a pink hue (and also features in many of the houses). Just across the road the church hall is a busy centre of village activity.

Stichill

Stichill Parish Church was built in 1770, some reconstruction took place in the 1860's and this is mentioned on several stones in and around the building and grounds. The original building featured an unusual seating plan where many of the congregation would sit with their backs to the minister, no provision for a choir was incorporated into the original design. An external staircase allows access to the Lairds' Loft.

Major works took place in 1906, the church being closed from April 1906 until the November of 1906. Ventilation was provided for both the roof and floor, (the lack of ventilation had caused odours throughout the building since construction). A chancel was built into the old vestry and a new vestry added to the north side of the building. Additional work to make the windows a uniform height and construction of a new door completed the structural work and a new pulpit and communion table were constructed as part of the interior renovations.

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