Laigh Kirk (Kilmarnock)

The Laigh Kirk is a neo-classical church building in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire Council Area. In 1971 the building was added to the Scottish lists of monuments in the highest category A monument. The church is still in use as such.

History

In the 13th century was built a church building of the same name at or near the location of the Laigh Kirk. Laigh here is the Scottish spelling of the word " Low" and refers to the location in the lower town. A plaque at the present bell tower is from the year of construction as 1410. Based on the building fabric, this annual statement for today's tower, which dates back to the 17th century, however, be excluded. Maybe, but the panel is from a previous building. After the church was considered in 1731 as too small for the growing congregation, took place in 1750, a larger diameter new building.

After the stability of the building has been questioned for some time, happened October 18, 1801 a misfortune. The church was crowded at this time, as the various parishes surrounding churches, including the Old High Kirk, were vacant, and many believers from other districts flocked to the Laigh Kirk. Shortly before the beginning of the service broke a part of the stucco decoration of the ceiling, after which the faithful, the collapse awaiting panic left the building. As a result of panic a total of 30 people lost their lives. A subsequent structural analysis came to the conclusion that the roof was probably not up to the load, a collapse, however, was not immanent. Nevertheless, the building was abandoned and torn down.

The following year, the foundation stone of the present church was laid. This was designed larger and equipped with seven doors wide to ensure a safe evacuation of the church. As part of the construction work a Romanesque altar of a previous building was exposed. In 1831 the Laigh Kirk was expanded in 1853 with a bell provided. An organ was installed in 1877 and replaced in the 1920s. Later the building was extensively restored and modernized. The recent modernization was carried out in the 1990s. It is used to continue the bell tower from the 17th century.