The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
At the Reformation this chapel was used as a preaching station by a
reader under the minister of Roseneath, but when the site of Cardross
Church was altered so as to bring it into its present more convenient
position as regards this locality, the chapel fell into disuse. The
burying-ground attached to it, however, continued in use for interments
till recent years. In 1640 a portion of the chapel was turned into a
school, in terms of an agreement between Robert Napier of Kilmahew and
the other heritors. Under this agreement Kilmahew bound himself--first,
“to give the use of his chapel of Kilmahew bewest the quir thereof, for
and in place of a school; second, to mortify to the schoolmaster
annually five
[Illustration: FIG. 1361.--Chapel at the Kirkton of Kilmahew. Plan.]
bolls one firlot of tiend bear, and also a house and a piece of land
layand thereto beside the chapel of Kilmahew, extending to about an acre
or therby, together with ane piece of land for pasture, which was of old
possest by the priest of Kilmahew, by order of the said Robert Napier of
Kilmahew his predecessors in time of superstition and popery; and in
case the annual value of these provisions should fall short of eighty
merks to make it up to that sum; third, to entertain the school master
present and to come, in meat, drink, and bedding, in household with
himself within the house of Kilmahew, so long as he shall discharge the
duty of family exercise and prayer within the said family.”[170]
The acre of ground above referred to is now in the possession of the
School Board, together with two acres excambed in 1795 for the priest’s
right of pasturing a cow on Kirkton farm.
The building is now unoccupied, but it is kept in good repair. It
consists (Fig. 1361) of an eastern portion or choir, which is roofed,
and of a western portion or nave, which is roofless. The former is
ancient, but the latter appears to be comparatively modern. The choir
is, internally, 13 feet 6 inches in length from west to east, by 16 feet
3 inches in width from north to south, and the walls are 3 feet in
thickness. In the west wall there is a rounded and chamfered arch 9 feet
2 inches in width, now built up. The choir has two windows, one in the
north
[Illustration: FIG. 1362.--Chapel at the Kirkton of Kilmahew. View from
South-East.]
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