SWINTON
In Berwickshire Churches and Churchyards, the church of Swinton is identified as a very ancient structure. The present parish comprises the formerly independent parishes of Swinton and Simprin, which were united in 1761, leading to Simprin's dissolution as an independent parish.
In 1098, when Coldingham was founded, King Edgar dedicated the church of Swinton to the monks of the monastery, granting them the village of Swinton and its lands as held by Liulf. This grant was later confirmed by Edgar's successor and by Bishop Robert in 1150 during a synod held at Berwick. The church remained under the control of Coldingham until the Reformation.
In 1296, William de Swinton, the vicar of Swinton, swore fealty to Edward I at Berwick. William Bartrem, a notable figure, served as "Vicar of Swinton" in 1455 and was granted significant possessions by John of Swinton, the local proprietor.
Historic Deed of 1455
A deed of acknowledgment from Bartrem, dated June 16, 1455, reads:
"To all and sundry to whose knowledge these present letters shall come, William Bartrem, perpetual vicar of the parish kirk of Swinton, greeting in God everlasting: Know that on the 16th day of June in the year of God 1455, in the presence of honorable men—Alexander of Cockburn of Langton, Adam of Nesbit of that ilk, Robert of Blakater of that ilk, Thomas Dyksoun of Marsyntoun, and John Dyksoun his brother, and many others—at their request and counsel, an honorable man, John of Swinton of that ilk, gave me for all the days and times of my life all his meadow land lying between the foresaid land pertaining to me by reason of the kirk lands and the water of Lete... This I make known by these present letters, sealed at Swinton."
Architectural History
The original church was replaced in 1593 by a structure typical of that era, described as plain and rudimentary. Although this building was deemed ruinous and replaced in 1792, its foundations and portions of the walls remain. Upon dismantling the old structure, it was discovered that the building was exceptionally strong and could have stood for centuries.
An old stone built into the east gable of the church bears the Swinton arms with initials and the date:
"S A S M H 1635,"
indicating Sir Alexander Swinton and his wife, Margaret Home. A mural tablet on the north wall, similarly adorned, is believed to mark their graves. Dates above the east and west windows—"A.D. 1796" and "A.D. 1800"—likely refer to subsequent additions and repairs.
The Feurs' Aisle
In 1782, a handsome aisle was constructed on the north side of the church by "a party of the fewars of Swinton." This addition, known as "The Feurs' Aisle," was primarily funded by the fewars themselves. Inside the aisle, an inscription lists the names of the 18 individuals who contributed to the project.
Memorials and Burials
Many generations of the Swinton family are interred within the church. A stone effigy of Sir Alan de Swinton, the fifth baron of the family, rests in an arched open niche on the south wall to the right of the pulpit. Beneath rudely-sculpted figures of a boar and three boars' heads—the heraldic charges of the Swinton family—is the following inscription:
"Hic jacet Alanus Swintonus Miles de eodem."
Below this inscription is a full-length figure of the knight, with his arms bent upwards from the elbows and clasping what resembles a book. There is no date, but it is well known that Sir Alan died around the year 1200. Some authorities assert that what he holds in his hands is a stone. By immemorial tradition, this is said to symbolize a large clue of yarn, which he used dexterously in one hand while wielding his sword with the other to dispatch a great wild boar in that field on Swinton Hill, which still retains the name "Allan's Cairn" in memory of the event.*
A vault in front of the monument, beneath the church floor, was opened some years ago. It was found to contain a coffin and three skulls. One of the skulls, noted for its unusual size, was presumed to belong to Sir Alan.
The church bell is old and bears the inscription:
"MARIA EST NOMEN MEUM."
Following this are four peculiar characters that appear to represent a date but have resisted deciphering, even by experts in London.
The churchyard contains little of remarkable interest, as the inscriptions on the older stones are largely illegible. However, the following words are inscribed on the bevelled edges of a large horizontal stone:
"Here lyes Will Veatch, son to Mr. Hen Veatch and Martha Gardiner, who died May the 12th, 1726. His age, 1 year."
Simprin
The church at Simprin existed during the reign of David I (1124–1153), when "Hye de Simpring" held the manor of Simprin and the advowson of its church. During the reign of Malcolm IV (1153–1165), the church of Simprin, along with a toft and some lands, was granted to the monks of Kelso.* It was dedicated by Bishop Bernham in 1247.
Simprin church holds a place of honor as the early ministry of Thomas Boston, author of The Fourfold State. Known for his deep piety and zeal, Boston served as minister of Simprin from 1699 to 1707.
In 1761, Simprin ceased to be a separate parish and was annexed to Swinton. Subsequently, the church fell into ruin.
The building itself was very small, comprising a nave and chancel. The nave measured 22 feet long by 13 feet wide, while the chancel was 23 feet long by 16 feet wide. The east gable remains almost intact, and a portion of the north wall of the chancel still stands to a height of about 6 feet. The remaining sections are nearly level with the ground.
The only visible window is a small, round-headed opening in the center of the east gable, measuring 2 feet 9 inches by 1 foot 3 inches. It is bevelled on the exterior and widely splayed laterally, though flat-headed within. There appear to have been two doorways, one opening into the nave and another into the chancel through the south wall. The east jamb of the chancel doorway, broadly chamfered on the outer edge, is still discernible.
Given these limited details, it is difficult to determine the exact age of the building, but it likely dates no later than the 13th century.*
The ruins now stand in the middle of a disused burial ground, situated in a small plantation about a mile and a half east of Swinton. Unfortunately, the site is in a state of severe dilapidation, with approximately 20 stones scattered haphazardly and left uncared for—a regrettable discredit to the community and especially to those responsible for its upkeep.
There are several old and very interesting stones in the churchyard.
A small, neatly carved stone bears these words:
"1610.
Heir lyes under this ston the body of Willeam Cockbourn
whos dayes was feu. His glass it was soon run.
All that him knew their lov he wan
who departed July 28."
On another small stone:
"Heiar layes the body of Magret Common
who departed this lyfe the 19 day Iwlay 1719.
Hir age was 60."
The following appears on a large horizontal stone and refers to James Gibson, one of the ministers of Simprin:
"Hie jacet Mr Jacobus Gibson pernuper sacerdos ecclesiae Simprinensis qui obiit 20 Martii Anno Domini 1668."
List of Ministers in Swinton Since 1590:
Robert Hislop — 1590 to 1595
Andrew Arbuthnot — 1595 to 1632
Walter Swintoun, M.A. — 1632 to 1646
Edward Jameson, M.A.* — 1647 to 1661
Patrick Suintoune, M.A. — 1668 to 1685
Edward Jameson, M.A. (reinstated) — 1687 to 1691
Robert Sandelands — 1691 to 1695
John Lithgow — 1695 to 1711
Henry Veatch, M.A. — 1712 to 1753
George Cupplea — 1754 to 1798
William Simson — 1799 to 1804
James Baird — 1804 to 1814
John Hunter — 1814 to 1832
James Logan — 1833 to 1868
Robert Home — 1868 to 1877
Alexander Milne — 1878 to 1884
James Gordon — 1884 to 1891
D. D. F. Macdonald (present incumbent) — 1892
Ministers of Simprin:
Thomas Boner, M.A. — 1606 to 1632
John Markmath, M.A. — 1632 to 1638
Robert Meluill — 1641 to 1654
James Gibson — 1668 to 1668 (a few months)
James Sanderson, M.A. — 1668 to 1671
George Wilsone — 1672 to 1683
James Adamson — 1689 to 1689 (a few months)
John Moir — 1691 to (unspecified)
Thomas Boston, M.A. — 1699 to 1707
James Allan — 1707 to 1716
James Chrystie, M.A. — 1717 to 1725
James Landereth, M.A. — 1725 to 1756
John Jolly — 1757 to 1761
Free Church at Swinton:
There is a Free Church at Swinton, erected in 1860 (the second since the Disruption). It is a handsome building with a spire, which houses a clock. The church is oblong in shape, measuring 70 feet by 35 feet, with a Gothic roof and windows. It can accommodate 520 people. The present minister is William Shearer, ordained in 1870.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel