Larbert Old Church

Larbert Old Church
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Larbert Old Church

Located on a prominent site, high above the River Carron on the S side of Denny Road on the western edge of the town, Larbert Old Church lies next to Larbert Cross, which was the heart of the old village of Larbert. There has been a place of worship here since at least the 12th century, although the current church dates from 1818-20, the work of Glasgow architect David Hamilton (1768 - 1843). Erected at a cost of £6000, to seat 1200 people, this is a building of some quality, comprising a large box in yellow ashlar, with prominent buttresses and a conspicuous square tower facing west.

The Minister, half of the kirk session and 400 members left in the Disruption of 1843. The Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 was marked by much renovation and the purchase of a fine organ by Wilkinson & Sons of Kendal, which was repositioned when the church was extended in 1909-11. This involved the addition of a chancel and vestry. There is colourful stained glass, with dates between 1859 and 1962.

Adjacent is a large churchyard, with many interesting graves, several of which represent the last resting place of local iron-masters, together with land-owners including the Elphinstones of Quarrel. A particularly prominent cast-iron obelisk commemorates the explorer James Bruce of Kinnaird (1730-94), who travelled to Abyssinia where he discovered the source of the Blue Nile.


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