Church

St Michael, Dumfries

St Michael, Dumfries

St Michael’s is a Category A Church of Scotland burgh kirk on St Michael Street, Dumfries, known as the church and burial place associated with Robert Burns.

Location
Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway
Country
Scotland
County
Dumfries & Galloway
City / town
Dumfries
Address
St Michael Street, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 2PR
Postcode
DG1 2PR
Built
1744–46; tower 1740–42
Architect
Alexander Fleck, Thomas Twaddel and James Harley (contractors; local tradesmen's plan)
Denomination
Church of Scotland
Dedication
Michael
Parish
St Michael's and South
Grade
A
Style
Georgian
Materials
Red sandstone with ashlar dressings and margins; leaded and slated roof
Grid reference
NX 975 756
Opening hours
Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church.
Access
Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas

Overview

Historic Environment Scotland records a tower of 1740–42 with a spire contracted in 1742 by Alexander Fleck and Thomas Twaddel and added to the previous church. That church was then demolished and the present rectangular church built in 1744–46 by Fleck and Twaddel with James Harley, all in red sandstone with ashlar dressings. The Town Council had asked William Adam for a scheme, but preferred a cheaper plan by local tradesmen. In September 1745 lead from the roof was sold for bullets as Prince Charles Edward Stuart approached the town.

The tower is square, of four undiminishing stages, with a facetted stone spire. The church has key-blocked round-headed windows and a piended, platformed leaded and slated roof. The interior is divided by two large stone arcades into nave and aisles; it was re-seated in 1869 and renovated in 1881. The churchyard holds the Burns Mausoleum. Scottish listings are given in Further Information rather than as listEntryUrl.

Further Information