ECCLES
A church and nunnery existed here in the early part of the twelfth century. Some authorities have argued that a convent existed at Eccles at a much earlier date and that it was re-founded during the twelfth century. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
The generous Cospatrick, who founded Coldstream, established a colony of Cistercian nuns at Eccles in 1156, where he endowed a convent dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Over time, the nuns of Eccles faced the consequences of Scotland's turbulent history. In 1294–95, Edward I granted them protection. In 1296, when many of Scotland’s bravest submitted to Edward, Ada de Fraser, the prioress, and her convent swore fealty to him, leading to the restoration of their estates. Edward II granted them protection again in 1316–17.
After the devastating Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, the prioress and her nuns were forced to submit to the conqueror, and Edward III granted them protection for their house, lands, and revenues. However, in 1523, the heads of this nunnery acted as spies for the Earl of Surrey, informing him of Regent Albany's preparations to invade England. Albany was compelled to raise the siege of Wark, retreating to Eccles, and eventually to Lauder, following false reports of the English army's approach.
In 1544, during the conflict over Edward IV's courtship of Mary Stuart, the English army attacked Eccles. On September 27, 1544, the English captured the church, killing 80 people, plundering the village, and burning the abbey. A year later, in September 1545, the Earl of Hertford inflicted further devastation on the abbey and town. Marion Hamilton, the prioress, conveyed the village and lands of Eccles to Alexander Hamilton, her relative. This transfer was later confirmed by Mary Stuart on May 11, 1567. James VI eventually granted the estates to Sir George Home, who was later titled Lord Home of Berwick in 1604 and Earl of Dunbar in 1605.
The nunnery appears to have covered an area of about six acres, extending farther south and west than east and north.
Some confused ruins of the monastic edifice remain on the west side of the churchyard, behind the mansion of Eccles House. The east wall of Eccles House is evidently ancient and likely formed part of the old nunnery. Two vaulted cells with a blocked, round-headed window and a fragment of a string-course featuring the much-weathered billet ornament are among the most notable remnants. A ruinous vault on the north side of the church is also extant, featuring two doorways and a round-headed window, all of which are now blocked. However, significant alterations over time make it difficult to discern its original features.
The burial ground near these vaults is paved with fine stones about four feet beneath the surface, suggesting the existence of many similar cells in the past. The mixture of sand, lime, and earth indicates the ground consists of rubble from the fallen vaults. Tradition holds that the main entrance to the nunnery was from the west, featuring a large gate adorned with elaborate sculptures and figures. A stone coffin, measuring over six feet long, was unearthed near the front door of Eccles House, covered with flagstones.
The Church of Eccles likely predated the foundation of the monastery in 1156. It was dedicated to St. Cuthbert and St. Andrew. Although the priory suffered severely in 1545 under the Earl of Hertford, the church survived intact until about 1774. The original church was a Gothic structure in the form of a cross, with vaulted ceilings, large flagstones, an elegant steeple, and a cross. It was built to last for centuries and was removed with great difficulty. However, as it became too small to accommodate the growing population, the proprietors of the parish dismantled it and built a handsome modern church on the same site.
The building is large and in a good state of repair, showing no signs of decay despite being 121 years old. The exterior displays far more architectural design than most country churches built in the latter half of the last century. However, the interior is plain and uninteresting, lacking any elements of beauty or comfort. The tower is regarded as an excellent example of its kind, with the building’s most notable architectural feature being the Norman arches of the windows.
The inscription on the bell reads:
"Feare God yee people of Eckles 1659 I-R."
An excavated sandstone piece, resembling a spout or drain with a corresponding arched stone above it, is now used in an outhouse and appears to have been part of the piscina of the original church. The font, still in good condition, has been relocated to the garden. Made of fine-grained sandstone, the bowl is perforated at the bottom and smoothed on the sides, measuring 2 feet 8 inches in diameter.*
An old hand bell is preserved in the manse. It was likely used for funerals or similar purposes and bears the following inscription:
"2171 SLEKKE . FO . HSIRAP • EHT • ROF ."
When read backward, the proper rendering is:
"For the parish of Ekkles 1712."
The churchyard, as previously mentioned, contains numerous old stones, many of which are so weathered that their inscriptions are illegible.
A large horizontal stone bears the following inscription:
"In memory of William Johnston, tenant in Edram Mains, who died Novr 3rd 1699, aged 50 years, and of Betty Morton, his spouse, who died Janry 26th 1721, aged 77 years."
A small stone, much broken and defaced, lies flat on the ground and is overgrown with nettles and weeds. Its inscription reads:
"Here lyes Isabel Mason, spouse to Gesper Aire, who died 12 March 1687, aged 28."
On a very small stone, the upper part of the inscription is illegible, but the remaining text reads:
"... Wright in Leitholme who dyed the third day of July 1712, aged 78, as also his son James Liethead, who dyed June 15th day 1712, aged 11 years."
*Source: Dr. Hardy – Hist. Ber. Nat. Club.
Another small stone is inscribed:
"Here lyes Agnes Wilson, spouse to James Mason, Tylior in Over Mains, who died November 20, 1699."
A handsome monument, surmounted by an elaborate capital of well-executed carved work consisting of figures and floral designs, bears an inscription, part of which is obliterated. The visible text reads:
"... Dickson Antonshil died 15th Augt 1690 aged 75.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ker, his widow, died 12th Novr 1691 aged 68."
At Birgham, on Tweedside, two miles from Eccles, a chapel once existed as a subordinate to the church of Eccles. It was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. The churchyard connected with it is still in use for this part of the parish, but no trace of the chapel building remains.
The gravestones in the churchyard are heavily weathered, with few interesting inscriptions. A small stone with a death's head and hourglass bears only the initials and date:
"B D 1683."
The following inscription on a large horizontal stone is nearly illegible:
"I W H 1681."
A very small, neatly carved stone is inscribed:
"Here lyes Ednem Dods, who died the 29th day of March 1699."
A similar stone bears the following:
"Here lyes John Ingles, who died the 20th day of November 1698."
Another chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and subordinate to Eccles, once stood at the west end of the present village of Leitholm. Its site is marked by an old ash tree known as the "Chapel Tree," which grows on the summit of the Chapel Knowe. The surrounding ground was used as a burial site and is now cultivated. Bones and coffins have occasionally been unearthed. Alexander, the parson of Leitholm, witnessed several early charters of Coldstream Priory.
A third chapel dependent on Eccles stood at Mersington, about a mile from Leitholm. It is believed to have been dedicated to St. John, though no trace of the chapel remains.
Ministers of Eccles (Since 1567)
Robert Franche – 1567 to 1596
Alexander Home – 1608 to 1617
Andrew Melville* – 1622 to 1622 (a few months only)
Henry Blyth, M.A. – 1622 to 1635
John Home, B.D. – 1635 to 1649
Samuel Douglas, M.A. – 1652 to 1652 (a few months only)
John Jamieson, M.A. – 1654 to 1654 (a few months only)
Andrew Rutherford, M.A.† – 1655 to 1660
John Cook, M.A. – 1663 to 1687
James Balfour, M.A. – 1687 to 1691
John Lauder – 1691 to 1729
Matthew Dysart, M.A. – 1731 to 1773
Adam Murray – 1774 to 1794
James Baird – 1797 to 1805
James Thomson, D.D. – 1805 to 1855
James R. Watson – 1848 to 1891
John Johnston, B.D. (present incumbent) – 1891
* Mention is made under the date 1622 of David Home as a late minister. He likely served at least part of the gap between 1617 and 1622. (Scott's Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae)
† On January 24, 1655, a letter was presented to the Presbytery of Jedburgh complaining about irregular actions surrounding the "pretended admission" of Andrew Rutherford. (Scott's Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae)
Churches
Free Church, Eccles: A plain cruciform structure erected in 1845. The current minister is Duncan Maclean Black, settled in 1880.
United Presbyterian Church, Leitholm: Located two miles from Eccles, this plain, barn-like structure was built in 1835. The current minister is John Mitchell Watson, settled in 1879.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel