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Our Next Church Service:
Sunday 28th : The Fourth Sunday after Trinity.
Family Service in Colvend Church at 11 a.m. |
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The Parish of Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean
Welcome to our Website!
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A Letter from Our Minister
The Reverend John Murdoch
The Manse of Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean Tuesday 16th June 2026 My dear friends I write with extremely happy news for our Parish. For me to do so in the week of the forty-seventh anniversary of my Ordination to the Ministry, into the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department in Palmerston Place Church Edinburgh on 17th June 1979, makes the news for me even more special. On Saturday 13th June in Stranraer the Presbytery of the South West met for its summer meeting and within the Agenda was the matter of Mission Planning. It has been the intention of the Presbytery since February 2023, to reduce the Church buildings in our Parish, with Southwick Church being targeted for closure by September 2027: however on Saturday, proposals were put forward by the very Committee that had indicated closure, to propose that instead of that Church building closing it should be the Church Hall in Colvend to close, together with Southwick Church Hall. The total number of buildings that are to be allowed in our Parish is two and those two are to be Colvend Church and Southwick Church. In plain 21s C speech: Hurrah! Southwick is saved! Thanks be to God. Below is what I sent to members of the Kirk Session and the Congregational Board on Saturday evening after I came home from Stranraer and what I told the large Congregation on Sunday 14th in Colvend Church. My dear friends, God moves in mysterious ways, does He not. Hurray! Hurrah! Southwick Church will remain open for Worship, as a result of the Presbytery's Mission Plan being altered today in Stranraer, following Esmé Greenan's report - as Presbytery Buildings Officer - deeming both Church Halls no longer fit for purpose: both Halls are 'to be disposed of as soon as practicable.’ The motion was unanimously carried and we give thanks most humbly and most assuredly! Sending my very best wishes as we all enjoy these summer days and you all, with renewed purpose, vision and vigour, can look forward in faith to a new chapter in this most wonderful Parish where I have been privileged to be your Minister for these past four years. John Our June Services
Sunday 28th : The Fourth Sunday after Trinity. Family Service in Colvend Church at 11 a.m. Pets’ Service in Balmaghie Kirk at 4 p.m. The Minister Services in July 2026 Sunday 5th : The Fifth Sunday after Trinity Morning Service in Southwick at 11 am The Minister Sunday 12th : The Sixth Sunday after Trinity Morning Service in Colvend at 11 am The Minister Sunday 19th : The Seventh Sunday after Trinity Morning Service in Southwick at 11 am The Minister Sunday 26th : The Eighth Sunday after Trinity Morning Service in Colvend at 11 am The Minister Let No-one be a Stranger Within These Walls
We meet to worship God every Sunday morning either in Colvend or Southwick Church. They are beacons of hope for all in the Parish, as the love of God in Jesus Christ is proclaimed in ways which connect the greatest love story on earth, about sacrifice, self-denial and service, with life in the 21st century. I invite you to come inside these walls and be with our Congregation whose hope and prayer is to be a channel of God’s peace. Here you will experience friendship and fellowship alongside the transforming love of Jesus Christ in the Sacraments and in Scripture. ‘Come unto me,’ said Jesus, ‘all of you who are heavy-laden and I will give you rest. I am the Bread of Life.’ The Reverend John Murdoch Minister of Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean The Reverend John Murdoch’s contact numbers are: 01556 630 358 or 07578 558978
Email: jmurdoch@churchofscotland.org.uk Please follow the link below for our Diary Dates.
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Southwick Church
Southwick Church (pronounced Suth-ick)
Words and Poem courtesy of Christine Milligan, one of our brilliant, gifted and passionate Parishioners. The first church at Southwick dates back at least to the 13th century, founded by Gilbert de Suthayk, or by his son Patrick. In 1300 King Edward I marched into Scotland, and having taken Caerlaverock Castle, the records show that he gave an offering to the shrine of Our Lady of Suthayk. The ruins of a later church of 1567 can still be seen today in the graveyard in a nearby glen. In 1612 the parish was united with the neighbouring parish of Colvend by King James VI/I. In 1891 the laird of Southwick estate, Sir Mark McTaggart Stewart, gifted land and the building of a new church, a Chapel of Ease, to accommodate the increasing population in this agricultural area living at the eastern end of the parish, to be served by an Assistant Minister. Southwick church sits against the backdrop of the wooded policies of the estate, nestling amongst green laurel which colours the background in winter, and in summer looks out at the great rhododendrons which splash their pinks and reds in welcome. The building was designed by architects Peddie &Kinnear in a mixture of Early Christian and Norman styles, using grey Galloway granite and Dumfriesshire red sandstone to fashion a country church which looks entirely at home in its surroundings. The design of the crossing tower was borrowed from the 14th century tower of St Monans Parish Church, Fife. But come in! Step over the threshold and look up to see round the inner doorway the words ‘In this Place will I give Peace saith the Lord’, and over the little window ‘Serve the Lord with Gladness’. In the sanctuary the long Nave aisle, over which is thrown a wagon roof of dark timbers, leads down to the Crossing where stone vaulting supports the square tower, underlining a sense of solidity and peacefulness. The stone chancel arch with chevron decoration spans the entrance to the Apse. The feel of the Arts and Crafts movement is alive in the wrought iron light fittings, once for oil lamps, and the fine craftsmanship in the neo-Jacobean pulpit and in the neo-Norman font, given by Sir Mark’s sister Miss Mary Stewart to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. A further generous gift, a bequest in her will, was a series of nine stained glass windows installed in 1904. These are the work of Baron Arild Rosenkranz, a relative of the Stewart family and a former student and designer for Tiffany, New York. They are of slab glass, a new technique in glass making at the time which gives them striking intensity of colour. They are considered to be of museum quality, jewels of colour in one of the jewels of church building in Scotland. Today Southwick Church is the home of a thriving, loyal, Christian congregation who with visitors from all over the world seek out this place. Here is the sense of the numinous, characteristic of holy space. It provides singular solace for a whole community. ‘Come and See’ Southwick Church Lofty granite makes for you The sacred space. Feel the soft branches of prayer From every nook and cranny Twine round your heart, Carrying it in tender grasp As you cross the earth-red floor. Feel the pull of the strings that caught you up, And know that, when you come again, You will hear the whispering quietness That lies as treasure store Here in a little Galloway Kirk By the distant shore, Solace for you. Christine Milligan If you would like to dedicate a hymn book in either of our churches to somebody - in memoriam/in celebration of/baptism/marriage or special occasion, please contact us on cskenquiries@outlook.com
Please follow the link below for Life Events - Baptisms,
Christian Marriage and Funeral Services |
Colvend, Southwick and Kirkbean Church is a registered Charity, Scottish Charity Number SCO09384