The 250th Anniversary Exhibition was held on 29th October 2022

It was held to celebrate the 250th anniversary of 1772, which was when the church was substantially rebuilt from foundation level, the earlier building having become in a poor state of repair. Eventually this building became too small for the congregation and was recast in 1849 to seat 400 worshippers.

The sum of £257.10 was donated at the exhibition and tea.

The present church is the third on the site overlooking the river at the west end of the village, with the first recorded church built in 1591. The keystone of this church, fortunately preserved by the builders of the new, can be seen high on the outside of the south wall, with the inscription “Heir is ane hous bult to serve God”. The church appears as Kamenel Kirk on Blaeu’s Atlas of Scotland of 1654.

The church was substantially rebuilt from foundation level in 1772, the earlier building having become in a poor state of repair. Eventually this building became too small for the congregation and was recast in 1849 to seat 400 worshippers. To avoid disruption to weekly worship the new church was built around the old – when completed, the old one was demolished.

In 1899 the Church was restored and extended by the architect Robert Lorimer, and the chancel renovated with linenfold panelling and fine carvings. A full height extension was made to the east gable, and an external stair to the choir gallery. The Grade 1 listed Norman and Beard pipe organ was installed in 1908, the carved organ screen also by Lorimer. He was also influential in the choice of two of the most outstanding stained-glass artists of the Arts and Crafts Movement – Louis Davis and Douglas Strachan – for several of the windows installed between 1900 and 1922.

A collage of pictures of the exhibition below, & more can be seen in Photo Gallery: