Edrom
The church of Edrom was granted to St. Cuthbert's monks of Coldingham early in the twelfth century by Cospatrick, Earl of Dunbar, and confirmed by David I. in 1139. The gift of Cospatrick was also confirmed in 1150 by Robert, the Bishop of St. Andrews, "in presence of the Synod of Berwick town." Edrom remained a vicarage until the Reformation. William De Chatton, "Vicaire de Peglise de Ederham," swore fealty to Edward I. on the 24th of August, 1296.
In former times, there were three chapels subordinate to the church of Edrom within the parish—Kimmerghame, Blackadder, and East Nisbet—and outside the parish, the distant chapel of Ercheldon (Earlston). No remains of these four chapels can now be traced.
The chapel at East Nisbet, now called Allanbank, stood on the southwest bank of the river Whiteadder, about a mile above the village of Allanton. The site, near a small field still known as the "Chapel Haugh," is noteworthy as having been the scene of a Covenanter's conventicle and communion during the persecuting times. The ruins were dismantled at the beginning of the present century, and the stones were used to construct a boundary dyke between two neighboring estates.
The chapel of Kimmerghame stood near the Blackadder Water, in a field still called the "Kirk Park," near Kimmerghame Mill. This chapel, including a chantry, was conceded by the prior and convent of Durham, between 1233 and 1244, to Herbert de Camera. About two or three miles farther down the river, on the same side, was the site of the chapel of Blackadder, every trace of which has long since vanished, though portions of the wall enclosing its burying ground were still standing within living memory.*
The original church of Edrom dates back to ancient times. It underwent repairs in 1327, 1333, and 1367. In 1332, the chancel was newly thatched with straw, which, along with foreign timber for the work, was transported from Berwick, the timber being unloaded from an "Estland" ship. Bishop Blackadder, reputed to have first constructed the Blackadder family vault, served as Bishop of Glasgow from 1484 to 1508. The vault was later repaired by Sir John Home of Blackadder in 1696.
When the chapel of Earlston acquired parochial privileges, Edrom continued to be its mother church.
Architectural Relic
An interesting and beautiful relic of the old church of Edrom remains in the form of a rounded arch, now part of a more modern burial vault located a few yards west of the current church. This arch, dating to the twelfth century, is a fine specimen of the Norman style. Its rounded shafts, richly carved capitals, and elaborate moldings evoke the exquisite sculpture work that, though fragmentary, still graces Scotland’s abbeys.
The arch evidently formed the main entrance to the earlier structure. Its preservation is fortunate, as it is an extremely rich and beautiful example of Norman architecture. Despite its decayed condition, it retains striking and characteristic moldings of the later Norman style.
Structure: The arch consists of three orders.
The intermediate order rises from scalloped imposts, whose abaci extend slightly along the wall on each side and support the outer order.
The inner order rests on two cylindrical engaged shafts with enriched capitals surmounted by square abaci, chamfered below.*
The face and soffit of the outer order are embellished with a double embattled molding, surrounded by a narrow band of delicately carved ornament in slight relief. The second order displays a lozenge molding on both the face and soffit, incorporating a series of large nail-heads on the chamfer-plane and enriched on the outer face by lines of small pellets. The inner order features a chevron pattern on the face, with a plain soffit.
The bases of the supporting shafts are located about 18 inches below the current ground level and consist of a slightly molded round member resting on a square plinth. The daylight measures 11 feet by 4 feet 8 inches.*
Historical Context
The appearance of this sculptured doorway in the original fabric would have been enhanced by contrast with other parts of the building. Early in the fourteenth century, the chancel roof was thatched with straw,** adding a rustic element to its otherwise grandiose architecture.
An addition was built to the church on the south side by Robert Blackadder, Archbishop of Glasgow, in the year 1499. Much of this addition still remains, although it has been significantly altered during the rebuilding of other parts of the church. A prominent buttress serves as a reminder of the archbishop's "transeptal chapel," as it was called. A large stone built into the buttress bears the following inscription:
"FOUNDED BY
ROBERT BLACKADDER,
ARCHBISHOP OF GLASGOW,
IN THE YEAR 1499."
Below this is an old heraldic stone bearing the arms of Archbishop Blackadder. Although much defaced, the initial letter "R" of his name is faintly discernible on one side, while the letter "B" is more clearly visible on the other.*
This buttress is topped by an old sundial, though it is doubtful whether it dates as far back as 1499, as it does not appear weathered enough. On the opposite corner, another buttress contains a stone inscribed:
"REPAIRED BY
SIR JOHN HOME
OF BLACKADDER, BARONET,
IN THE YEAR 1696."
Below this is another heraldic stone, but its features are almost entirely defaced.
The other parts of the church are relatively modern. It was rebuilt in 1732 and underwent a complete renovation and expansion in the Gothic style in 1886.
Interior Features
The interior of the church is light and comfortable. The walls are adorned with beautifully executed scripture texts, handsomely mounted, alongside numerous marble slabs inscribed in memory of prominent families from the surrounding area.
The communion plate consists of two silver cups engraved with the words:
"Bought by the Kirk-Session of Edrom for the Communion Table, 1744."
Churchyard
The churchyard surrounding the church contains a few intriguing stones, many of which feature inscriptions that reveal unusual spelling.
A very small stone reads:
"Hir lys the corps of Isbl Kilpatrick who died 11 Dismbr 1712."
On the reverse side are rudely carved symbols of a heart, skull, and bones, along with the words "Memento mori."
A medium-sized stone is inscribed:
"Here lyes the body of James Jameson who dyed the 23 day of Novmber 1732 aged 78."
The reverse side displays crude carvings of crossbones, a skull, and various tools of labor.
A small, uniquely shaped stone bears the inscription:
"Here . lyes . the . corps . of . James . Ker . who . died . Desember . 30 . 1719 . and . his . sister . Jane . Ker . who . died . Apriel . 14 . 1724."
The reverse side features a small death’s head and other grotesque humanoid figures, accompanied by initials and a date:
"IK 1724 I K."
Another small stone reads:
"Here lyes the corpse of Alexander Scowlar who died January 15 1747."
Another is inscribed:
"Here lyes the cors of William Black who died February 21 1727."
A large upright slab, which was likely a horizontal stone in the past, bears a cross or sword in low relief. On one side is this simple inscription:
"R B 1676."
A large stone bears these words:
"Here lyes the corps of Robert Galbraith who died 1669 and Elspeth Johnston his spous who died 1697."
On a small stone, we read:
"Hire lys the corps of Katren Darlin who died Nouember 11 day 1732 aged 19."
Ministers of Edrom
The following is a list of the ministers who have served in Edrom since 1574:
Patrick Gait or Gaittis – 1574 to 1582
William Carrail – 1583 to 1612
Matthew Carraill – 1612 to 1646
John Home – 1646 to 1648
William Home – 1648 to 1649
Thomas Svynetowne (or Swinton), M.A. – 1649 to 1661
Andrew Bannatin, M.A. – 1662 to 1665
Alexander Hewat, M.A. – 1665 to 1677
George Trotter, M.A. – 1677 to 1682
Patrick Robertson, M.A. – 1682 to 1686
John Barclay – 1689 to 1689 (a few months)
Andrew Guthrie – 1690 to 1698
Thomas Anderson – 1701 to 1712
Alexander Trotter, M.A. – 1713 to 1758
William Redpath – 1759 to 1797
John Hastie – 1797 to 1822
Alexander Cuthbertson – 1823 to 1849
James Wilson – 1849 to 1872
George Gibson Gunn – 1872 to 1882
Macduff Simpson (present incumbent) – 1883
Free Church at Allariton
There is a Free Church in the village of Allariton, within this parish, built in 1843. It is a neat, well-built structure, cruciform in shape, with a pleasing interior. The present minister is Charles Blades, settled in 1887.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel