Moray HER - NJ35SW0003 - CHURCH OF DUNDURCAS

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ35SW0003
NameCHURCH OF DUNDURCAS
NRHE Card No.NJ35SW4
NRHE Numlink 16920
HES SM No. 5621
HES LB No. 15827
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Remains of a church and a graveyard, built in the early to mid-18th century on the site of previous churches, the earliest of which is thought to date from the 13th century. The parish of Dundurcas appears to have evolved prior to 1244. Around 1274 it is on record as a vicarage. It was subsequently annexed to the Hospital of Rathven. In 1445, the joint revenues were used to found a prebend in Aberdeen Cathedral. At the Reformation, the parsonage remained annexed to the benefice of Rathven. Its revenues were then utilised to support a staller in Aberdeen and six bedesmen of the hospital. Dundurcas appears to have been quite wealthy as the Abbey of Kinloss also received certain revenues from the fruits of this church. The present building and graveyard are located on the summit of a naturally mounded site which may have been utilised as a defensive site in the past, as there is a slight ditch on the Southwest side of the mound. The church is a rectangular-plan, rubble-built building, standing to roof height, with an intact bellcote on the West gable, although the bell has been removed to Cullen House (NJ56NW0003). The church measures 15.6 m (51.2 feet) East-West, by 8.1 m (26.6 feet) North-South, over walls 0.7 m (2.3 feet) thick. The church was suppressed in 1782, its lands being divided between Boharm and Rothes. The graveyard is enclosed by simple coped drystone walls of circa 1830. There are a pair of tooled square granite gatepiers at the West, with shaped caps and a pair of plain spearhead cast-iron gates. There are 18th, 19th and 20th century tombstones. Monumental inscriptions within the churchyard were recorded by the Moray Burial Ground Research Group in 2007 - 2008 .
Last Update12/01/2024
Updated Bycpalmer
Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

Google Map for NJ35SW0003

National Grid Reference: NJ 3022 5104



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
2007 Survey
2008 Survey

Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
GRAVEYARDSWALLED G100
WALLSDRYSTONECOPEDH100
GATEPIERSGRANITETOOLEDI100
GATESCAST-IRONSPEARHEADEDJ100
TOMBSTONES  K100
BELLCOTES  L100
DITCHESDEFENSIVEREMAINS OFA70
CHURCHESRUBBLE-BUILTREMAINS OFB100
WINDOWS SQUARE-HEADEDC100
BELFRIES  D100
LINTELS DATEDE100
CHURCHYARDS  F100