Kirk of Calder
is a 16th Century Church built on the site of an earlier
12th Century Church.
Today's Church is the Parish
Church for Mid Calder and Pumpherston; it has a active
congregation with services each Sunday.
During the summer months, it
opens between 2 and 4pm to allow visitors the
opportunity to view and learn some of its long and
fascinating history with guides on hand to provide tours.
The Church is part of the local
community, a place of worship and where its history and its
rich heritage are shared.
A Church has stood
on the site since the 12th century. Kirk of Calder, The
present church dates from 1541 with an extension added in
the 1860s. Two carved stone Celtic crosses, survive from the
original Church, one is on display within the Church. The
building is Grade A Listed with Historic Environment
Scotland Ref LB14144
https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/apex/f?p=1505:300:::::VIEWTYPE,VIEWREF:designation,LB14144
The Church has close links with the Reformation and John
Knox was a regular preacher and one of its ministers
helped draft the Scots Confession of 1560. The first
reformed communion after the Reformation took place in
nearby Calder house.
The Church was also at the centre of persecution, and
at least 5 women were tried and convicted under the
witchcraft act. Information about these events is
available in the Church.
The Church was also a place of
worship for Frederic Chopin during his time in Scotland.
James ‘Paraffin’ Young and his family were regular
worshipers and the family later donated a number of fine
stain glass widows. It is believed that the explorer
David Livingston also visited the Church. Call to
worship is made each Sunday by the 17th century
Rotterdam bell.
"The
Friends of Kirk of Calder" open the church to visitors 2- 4pm on
Sundays, May to September and the Co-ordinator is Mr. John Jamieson
01506-411722.
For those who can't visit John Jamieson has
prepared a 14minute long Virtual Tour you can view
here or
click the image.
We were fortunate the last four seasons to host a special exhibition within
the Kirk by a separate organisation called "The
Calder Witch Hunt ". The Kirk was the actual setting for some of the
trials and even where some of the "witches" were tried and tortured.
We are hosting this again for the 2026 season
More details here
A memorial Plaque was commissioned and
placed in the Vestry in 2023
Link to the Witches memorial Website
https://witches.is.ed.ac.uk/memorials
View the YouTube video on its
installation here
https://youtu.be/966a0WZR928
E
The Kirk minutes and Witch Hunt Exhibition
The Calder Witch Hunt have a comic book created by
brilliantly talented artist Caitlyn Bannatyne and it tells the stories
of the people who were affected by the Calder Witch Hunt.
The Kirk in 1547
For More photos visit the Kirk's Photo
Gallery
r
Windows and altar
View
West Lothian Council Memorial Service 16th September 2022 Slideshow Pics
38 seconds long click here https://fb.watch/fBTtaeYJ3O/
View West Lothian
Council Memorial Service for the Queen on 16th September 2022 (click link) 48
minutes long https://fb.watch/fBUtCjJK8O/
Kirk of Calder service
for Sunday 18th September 2022
- Gordon Pennykid can be viewed at the link below.
https://fb.watch/fPeiaQrUDx/
Some Pew Graffiti
Kirk of Calder Giving
Please see
Accounts and Donations page
Please visit the Photo
Gallery to see all aspects of the Church
Click the facebook logo
to visit our Facebook Page
