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Buildings

Basic Site Details

Whitekirk Church
Whitekirk
East Lothian
Scotland
The mediaval church was \'destroyed by incendiary women,\' (suffragettes) who set the building alight on 26 February 1914. Following restoration by Lorimer it re-opened in October 1917.

In terms of the report made to the heritors of Whitekirk by Sir Robert Lorimer, ARSA and Dr Ross, with reference to the fabric of Whitekirk Church, recently destroyed by incendiary women, a temporary roof is being placed over the walls of the tower pending restoration. [Building News 3 April 1914 Page 486]

WHITEKIRK.—The scheme for the restoration of Whitekirk Church. Haddingtonshire, which was burned down by incendiaries in February, has now so far advanced that it has been possible to appoint
an architect to prepare plans an obtain estimates. Sir Robert Lorimer, ARSA, FRIBA of Edinburgh. has been selected. The funds subscribed and otherwise available are £6,400, but this leaves about £1,600 still to be raised to allow of the complete restoration. [Building News 31 July 1914 Page 145]

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:

Alt classic

NameCurrent NameNotes
St Mary's Parish Church, WhitekirkYes

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:

Class classic

ClassificationOriginal ClassificationNotes
ChurchNot Known

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:

event classic

Event TypeFromToNotes
1884New nave ceiling and alterations
1891Date of drawings for organ chamber
1894Restoration
19141917Restoration of medieval church and new furnishings after fire (church set fire to by suffragettes)
Design exhibited1918

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.

design classic

PersonPartnership GroupRoleFromToNotes
(Sir) Robert Rowand AndersonA1884New nave ceiling and alterations (drawings dated)
George Washington BrowneA1884New nave ceiling and alterations (drawings dated)
Hew Maitland Wardrop (later Hew Montgomerie Wardrop)A1884New nave ceiling and alterations (drawings dated)
Wardrop, Anderson & BrowneA1884New nave ceiling and alterations (drawings dated)
(Sir) Robert Rowand AndersonB1891Organ chamber
Wardrop & AndersonB1891Organ chamber
(Sir) Robert Rowand Anderson1894Restoration
(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer19141917Restoration of medieval church and new furnishings after fire

Related Buildings, Structures and Designs

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:

bio ref classic

AuthorYearTitlePartPublisherNotes
McWilliam, Colin1978Lothian (The Buildings of Scotland)p468
RSA1918659
Savage, Peter1980Lorimer and the Edinburgh Craft DesignersEdinburgh: Paul Harris Publishing, 1980 (also paperback ed, London & Edinburgh: Steve Savage, 2005)p176

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:

period ref classic

Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Building News1917/10/24p339 Church had re-opened the previous Thursday
Building News1914/04/03p486. Report and temporary protection
Building News1914/07/31p145 Lorimer appointed architect

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:

arc ref classic

SourceNameCat NumberItem NameNotes
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSNMRS LibraryD43076--84 photos of drawings
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSDrawings CollectionAcc No 1998/137
Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register14615
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSLorimer and Matthew CollectionLOR W/1