Ruthwell Kirk (Scottish word meaning 'Church') is the oldest Church in South West Scotland still used for regular public worship.
It is part of the Church of Scotland Parish of Annan: St. Andrew's & St. Bryde's.
Morning Worship is held in the Church on the second and third Sundays of each month from 10:00am.
If Worship is not being held in Ruthwell when you are visiting you are most welcome to join us in our other Worship Centres at St. Andrew's Church, Annan or Brydekirk Village Hall. A full calendar of Services and activities for the Parish is available at stABC.online
Calendar
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Building History
There was a medieval Church at Ruthwell, the original building would have been a long thin building. In 1687 a burial aisle was added making the building a 'T' shape. The Cross was at some time moved into the Church, in 1640 The General Assembly of The Church of Scotland decreed that there would be no more crosses or icons in their Churches. The Minister of the time at Ruthwell, Rev. Gavin Young, instead of demolishing it reluctantly dismantled the Cross into several pieces and buried it in the Church floor, which would have been made of clay. In the late 18th century due to a new floor being laid and pews installed the Cross was dug up.
From 1799 to 1843 the Minister at Ruthwell was Rev. Dr. Henry Duncan, famous for starting the first savings bank, he gathered together all of the pieces of the Cross he could find and had a local stonemason create the missing parts to his design. He then had the Cross erected in the Manse (house inhabited by a Minister) grounds.
In 1882 a round apse was added to the side of the Church to accomodate the Cross with a pit dug as it was too tall to fit in the building, it was moved in 1887 and here it still stands today.
Our Parish
In 2011 the linked congregations of Cummertrees, Mouswald and Ruthwell were united under one Parish, retaining the Ruthwell Church building.
In 2026 the Church of Scotland Parishes of Cummertrees, Mouswald & Ruthwell were united with Annan: St. Andrew's & St. Bryde's Parish, retaining the name of the latter. The Parish extends from Hightae in the north, to Powfoot on the shores of the Solway Firth, Mouswald and beyond in the west to the town of Annan in the east.
