EYEMOUTH
There is very little known concerning the church of Eyemouth. Until the Reformation, it was one of the many dependencies subordinate to the Church of St. Mary at Coldingham. The name of Gilbert, the priest of Eyemouth, appears in the year 1295 as a witness to a confirmation charter granted by William, Bishop of St. Andrews, to the monks of Durham.
In the year 1340, one Robert de Kellow officiated in the church of Eyemouth. Shortly afterward, he was raised to the position of sacrist in the priory of Coldingham, but, proving dishonest, he was ejected in 1345. The last of its chaplains was one Thomas Steele.
Of the old original fabric, we know almost nothing. The predecessor of the present church stood a little distance to the north. It has been transformed into a modern, well-proportioned dwelling house owned and inhabited by Dr. Forsyth, a medical practitioner. This gentleman informed the author that, several years ago, during repairs, a number of skeletons were dug up. These had been buried below the floor of the church, a practice that prevailed in olden times.
The present church, built in 1812, is a substantial edifice, though it lacks architectural beauty. The steeple is high and provides an admirable contrast to the severe plainness of the building.
The interior is also plain and follows the old style of country parish churches. Several elegant marble slabs, suitably inscribed, adorn the walls. There is a neat pipe organ, one of the first to be introduced into parish churches in Scotland. The bell, made in London, bears the date 1836. It was transported in a sailing smack, enduring a long and adventurous voyage.
An interesting feature of the building is the beautiful pitch pine joists. These were concealed until about 20 years ago when the ceiling was removed.
The communion plate consists of two silver cups, engraved:
"THIRE CUPS BELONGETH TO THE CHURCH OF HAYMOUTH DMs 1689."
The old churchyard is situated about 300 paces north of the church. In one corner is the watch-house, or "dead-house," used during the days of Burke and Hare as a shelter for those keeping watch over the dead, guarding against the depredations and violence of the resurrectionists. Though small, it is an exceedingly interesting building, valuable to both antiquaries and ecclesiologists. Its walls are composed almost entirely of fragments of old tombstones, many bearing elaborate and skillfully executed carvings. On one stone, the year 1680 is observable; another has 1672.
The tombstones in the churchyard are very much weathered and defaced. A large stone built into the back wall is significantly worn, with only the following words still decipherable:
Church History and Memorials
A large stone bears the following inscription:
"C. H. 16 of March 1650."
Beside the above is another very large stone inscribed:
"Heir lyeth the bodie of Wiliam Cwrrie, merchant in Emowth, who lived a sober and Christian lyf, a hater of al wickednes and sin, died the 22 of May 1680, the 47 of his aidg."
The following lines appear on a medium-sized stone erected to the memory of Jean Young in 1791:
"Afflictions sore
Long time I bore
Physicians were in vain.
At last it pleased
Almighty God to send
And ease me of my pain."
A small stone is inscribed:
"Agnus Begarny, his wife, died about the year 1650. Isabel Hester, wife to Andr Vertue, fewer in Eymouth, died 28 Octr 1697."
Ministers of Eyemouth (Since 1615)
Andrew Ramsay — 1615 to 1627
John Home — 1627 to 1646
James Stratton, M.A. — 1647 to 1663
James Bannatin, M.A. — 1665 to 1673
Gilbert Innes — 1673 to [undetermined]
John Wilkie — 1677 to 1683
David Stirling, M.A. — 1689 (a few months)
James Ramsay, M.A. — 1693 to 1707
John Cuming — 1708 to 1715
James Allan — 1716 to 1737
James Allan, M.A. — 1737 to 1767
Thomas Taitt — 1767 to 1776
James Williamson — 1776 to 1785
George Todd — 1785 to 1801
James Smith, D.D. — 1802 to 1825
John Turnbull (assistant and successor) — 1822 to 1843*
John Murdoch — 1844 to 1845
Stephen Bell — 1845 to 1881
John Dempster Munro (present incumbent) — 1882
Churches in Eyemouth
United Presbyterian Church
Erected in 1843, this oblong building with a pavilion roof follows the traditional style of Secession churches. Externally plain and unpretentious, it is neat and comfortable inside. The present minister is David Kinloch Miller, M.A., settled in 1880.
Evangelical Union Church
This plain, oblong building was erected in 1862. The present minister is Thomas Gourlay Taylor, M.A., settled in 1894.
Primitive Methodist Church
Erected in 1836, this elongated building is very plain. The present minister is J. J. Harrison.
Free Church
Built in 1878, the Free Church is a beautiful edifice with a tall spire visible from a great distance. The present minister is John Miller, settled in 1887.
St. Ebba's (Episcopal) Church
Built in 1887, St. Ebba's is in the Norman style and occupies a picturesque location overlooking the bay. Services are provided by the Rector of Christ Church, Duns.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel