VINTAGE LUNDIN LINKS AND LARGO
  • Blog

Largo Parish Church Manse

16/6/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
The former manse associated with Largo Parish Church dates to 1770, when it replaced an earlier manse on the site. Kirk Session records suggest that the manse was completed mid-1770, as this was when the manse became the venue for their meetings. Before that date, meetings had been held in either Wood's Hospital or the Church itself. Largo Parish Church had experienced a time of turmoil immediately before the building of the manse.

In November 1768, minister Robert Ferrier demitted his charge to form an Independent Church at Balchrystie. To fill the vacancy, James Durham of Largo House presented Reverend David Burn. This choice sparked objections from a number of the congregation and, initially, Burn declined the call. However, when offered the post a second time, Burn accepted. The members of the congregation who were still dissatisfied with the turn of events, left the Church and formed the new congregation that became Largo Relief Church (forerunner to Largo St David's Church).

So David Burn was the first to occupy the manse and remained there until his death in the summer of 1776. The next occupant was Reverend Spence Oliphant (1777-1821). The extract from the 1792 Old Statistical Account for Largo below states that "the manse was rebuilt 20 years ago" and that at the time it was "among the best in the presbytery". Shortly after the arrival of Robert Lundin Brown, the manse was significantly extended (1822). Today the manse is a category B listed building, described as:

Two storeys and dormerless attic. Three bays; harled with painted margins. Central door in moulded architrave; bracketed cills. One window to each floor in gable ends including attic. Glazing mainly plate-glass sashes. Slate roof with straight skews and corniced ashlar end stacks. Rear wing, 19th century two storey, three bays with stair in re-entrant angle.

Picture

Situated to the north-west of the Church, see map below, the manse is south-facing. Originally its grounds extended to five acres, including an orchard and a glebe, which could be let out for grazing.​ To its north east lies the stable block built in the 1830s. More to follow on the history of the stables soon.

Picture

In 1894, retired minister Reverence William Davidson died at the manse. Shortly afterwards, the contents of the house were sold at roup. The list of household furniture and other articles below from the 27 April East of Fife Record gives an insight to the content of the manse at that time. 
​ 
Picture
Picture

​After around 250 years and a dozen ministers, the manse was sold in 2018 and has now entered into a new era of private ownership. Below is the floor plan for the manse as it was at the time of the sale. Much, of course has changed over the decades, including the union of Largo Kirk with Newburn Church in 1958 and the 1987 link with Largo St David's Church. If you have memories of visiting the manse or its gardens, please comment. 

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    About

    This blog is about the history of the villages of Lundin Links, Lower Largo and Upper Largo in Fife, Scotland. Comments and contributions from readers are very welcome!

    Search

    There is no in-built search facility on this site. To search for content, go to Google and type your search words followed by "lundin weebly".

    Contact

    Categories

    All
    Antiquities
    Beach
    Boarding Houses
    Business
    Churches
    Clubs And Societies
    Drummochy
    Facilities
    Farming
    Fishing
    Golf
    Houses
    Keil's Den
    Largo Law
    Lower Largo
    Masseney Braes
    New Gilston
    People
    Railway
    School
    Shops
    Standing Stanes
    Streets
    Tourism
    Upper Largo
    Viaduct
    War

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Links

    Largo Baywatch Blog
    Fife Family History Society
    ​
    Polish Parachute Brigade Info​

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.