FOGO
This church was founded around the middle of the twelfth century. In the year 1159, the church of "Foghow," along with one carucate of land, was granted by Cospatrick, third Earl of Dunbar, to the abbey of Kelso, where it remained under their possession until the Reformation. David, "vicar of Foghow," swore fealty to Edward I and thus had his vicarage restored.*
The exact date of the church's construction is unknown. However, the older parts of it—namely, the foundations and portions of the walls—are undoubtedly ancient. The church was completely restored in 1755, during which most of the old building was taken down. Two built-up arches, likely entrances to vaults beneath the church, are still distinctly visible near the middle of the north wall, slightly above ground level.
At the east end of the church is the Harcarse aisle, a picturesque and venerable structure overgrown with ivy. It has been suggested that this aisle might have been a reconstruction of the original church's chancel.
A fragment of an old burial slab has been preserved in this aisle. The upper face of the slab features an elaborately carved cross with a branched stem, although no portion of the base or arms remains. The craftsmanship is of an unusually high standard and likely dates back to the fourteenth century.*
Unique Features and Artifacts
An old stone built into the exterior wall of the church near the southwest door depicts three sculpted figures—a female flanked by two men—and includes the following inscription:
"We three served God, lived in His Fear,
And Loved Him who Bought us Dear."
A scroll or sash across the figures’ chests bears the Latin phrase:
"Vive Memor Lethi" (Live mindful of death).
The figures' attire appears to be from the Queen Anne or early Hanoverian period. However, their identities remain unknown.
Several old charters reference a chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas, granted by Patrick Corbet to the monks of Kelso Abbey between 1280 and 1297.† Whether this chapel was an endowed feature of the parish church or a separate foundation within the parish boundaries remains uncertain. The wording of the charters and the double dedication by Bishop Bernham (1242 and 1243) suggest it was a distinct ecclesiastical foundation.*
Aesthetic and Structural Notes
The church’s exterior is strikingly picturesque, almost completely draped in ivy. It is situated on the eastern bank of a narrow valley leading to a ford on the Blackadder, about three miles south of Duns.
The interior, by contrast, is exceedingly plain. On the front of the east gallery, the arms of the Hog family of Harcarse are emblazoned, accompanied by the initials and motto:
"Dat Gloria Vires.
Sr R.H. 1677"
On a stone inserted into the wall of the Charterhall loft are sculptured the arms of George Trotter of Morton Hall, accompanied by the following motto:
"Deo Dante Florebo, 1671
Mr. George Trotter, His Arms."
Fogo possesses an old communion bowl, which bears the following inscription:
"x Ex x Done x M x Geo x Troteri x in x W S V M x sacra x csense x in x ecc x Fogensi x Anno x Dom x 1662."
The arms of the donor, enclosed in a wreath, are engraved on the bowl.†
Churchyard and Tombstones
The churchyard contains several interesting stones. Built into the churchyard wall is a neat stone restored with this inscription:
"Here lies Mr. John Pringle, minister of the Gospel at Fogo for 32 years, who died the 22nd of February, 1682, in the 54th year of his age.
Clauditur exigua Venerandus Pringlius urna,
Vir pius et Justus, propositi tenax,
Nobilibus prognatus avis prae tuxit avorum
Famae, doctrina, religione fide.
Vere evangelicus pastor, Regique Deoque
Fidus erat, patriae spesque decusque suae,
Pauperibus largus patuit domus hospita cunctis,
Rebus in incertis certus amicus erat.
Felix innocuum qui sic transegerit aevum,
Vivere huic Christus praemia magna mori."
It is recorded that the churchyard once contained a tombstone, unseen for the last fifty years, bearing this humorous epitaph:
"Here lyes the body & the Banes
Of the Laird of Whinkerstanes:
He was neither gude to rich nor puir,
But now the Deal has him sure."
Another version of the epitaph reads:
"Here lyes the body and the banes
Of the mighty Laird of Whinkerstanes:
He had nae other God ava'
But Rosiebank and Charterha'."
Additional Inscriptions
On a very small stone:
"Heir lyes Marie . . . spous to John Neil, who died 1621."
On a neat, medium-sized stone:
"Robert Paterson, who died February 20, in the year 1712, aged 78."
On a small ornamental stone:
"Here lyes the body of Jenet Broun, daughter to Thorn. Broun, heind in Utholm, who died the 21st day of June 1719, aged 22 years.
Also Margret, his youngest daughter, who died..."
(The remaining words are obliterated.)
A large, peculiarly shaped stone bears this inscription:
"Her cares and labors ended with her life,
Here rests a faithful friend, a virtuous wife,
A daughter anxious for a mother's fame,
With love and reverence this enrolls her name."
Below the husband's name on the same stone:
"An honest man, a peaceful neighbor,
A faithful friend to whomsoever."
Ministers of Fogo
The following is a list of ministers who have served at Fogo since 1590:
William Methwen — 1590 to 1626
James Methwen — 1626 to 1650
John Pringle, M.A. — 1650 to 1682
William Methven, M.A. — 1682 to 1689
George Moodie, M.A. — 1693 to 1721
William Home — 1722 to 1756
John Todd — 1785 to 1814
George M'Lean — 1814 to 1840
John Baillie — 1841 to 1843
Andrew Redman Bonar — 1843 to 1845
Robert Forrester Proudfoot — 1845 to 1891
William Henry Gray Smith (present incumbent) — 1891
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel