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Remains of former parish church and associated graveyard. It was built circa 1330, burnt in 1733 and repaired, considerably altered in 1799, repaired again by J. and W. Smith 1846, unroofed 1862, and restored as far as possible by WR Davidson, architect, in 1931. A former parish church, dedicated to St Erchard and the Virgin Mary. St Erchard is said to have been a local disciple of St Ternan (late 6th century) and is buried within the church. From documentary evidence the church appears to have been a minster in origin. The ruined church, built of small stones and run lime was repaired and stripped of ivy in 1931, to reveal possibly 14th century detail, including a fine walled-up north door and lancet windows. The granite belfry probably dates circa 1640. The date of the foundation is unknown, but it passed into the possession of the hospital (see also NO59NE0005) on its foundation before 1231. Foundations which extend East of the East gable, and the peculiarities of the gable itself, suggest that the hospital may have adjoined the church on the East. Two windows in the upper part of the gable look into the church as if from an upper floor of the adjoining building, as occurred in some monastic buildings in order that sick persons might hear the service. In this case the lancet windows in the east gable would be later insertions, probably dating from the period when the adjoining building was removed. They may in fact have belonged to that building. The church was in use until 1861, when a new church was built at NO 5938 9958. The roof was removed in 1862, and in 1869 the interior was divided into private burial grounds for the ministers and certain of the heritors. The foundations on the east side are clearly visible, just protruding through the turf, and denote a building of similar dimensions to the church. The northeast corner of the foundations have been destroyed. The churchyard contains five World War I and II Commonwealth war graves.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)