Largo St David's Church

17/4/2014

The origins of the Largo St David's Church, which sits on Lower Largo's Main Street, date back to 1768. Prior to then, Largo Kirk in Upper Largo was the main place of worship for the Parish. Disagreement over the selection of a new minister in 1768 led to a group of dissenters leaving Largo Kirk and meeting in open air as an independent church. This new group, though limited in money and resources, were granted land on which to build by Mr Durham.

In 1884 a letter was written to the editor of the Dundee Courier, signed "A United Presbyterian Member", and published on 15th November, which relays a tale of the building of the church around 1771, stating...

"men, women and children were alike zealous, and when the masons towards the end of their day's labours left off their work for the want of material, they were often surprised next morning to find an abundant supply - the men with barrows, the women with their aprons, and children with creels, having procured it for them overnight from the beach which skirts the village."

The original church stood just east of the present building but eventually became too small and no doubt too run-down. The existing church was built 1871-72 and was opened on 17th July 1872. I've never seen an image or sketch of the old church - if you have seen one, please comment. The postcard below shows the church just visible above the shore-front houses to the left of centre. It seems to have lost the very top part of its frontage in more recent times compared to this postcard view. If you know what happened, please get in touch.

7 Comments

MRS R J S GOODWILLIE

9/8/2014 07:09:36 am

I lived in Lower Largo for the first twenty-one years of my life. All my Dad's family lived locally. My Grannie and Grandad, Andrew Gillies and his wife, nee Isabella Kidd, had Goodsir House.

As far as St David's Church goes. The alteration to the position of the bell took place in the 1960's. I was in the Church choir at the time and the organist, Mr McGregor, wrote a song which was sung at a fundraising concert so that work could be done to the front of the Church as it was considered that the structure of the part which held the bell was becoming in a dangerous condition. The song was sung to the tune of "The Bells of St Mary's" and was called "The Bell of St David's". I can still remember the words, if you are interested. I remember not being sure whether I liked the new construction at the rear of the Church. I thought that it spoiled the look of the building.

Emma Moir

30/4/2023 06:04:02 am

My Grandmother and Great Aunt were also in the choir for the bell

Mrs R.J.S. Goodwillie (nee Jean Gillies)

30/4/2023 02:19:58 pm

Emma

I was interested to read that your Grandmother and your Great-Aunt were also in the Choir at the time when money was being raised for the bell. I would be interested to know who they were.

30/4/2023 03:20:20 pm

My Grandmother was Nan Wilton Semple (nee black) and my Great Aunt Grace Gillies Black. They were twins

Vintage Lundin Links

23/8/2014 08:16:54 am

The words of the song, written to raise funds for the church, mentioned by Mrs Goodwillie were:

The Bell of St David's for you we are toiling,
We hope it won't be long now before it is here;
And when we all hear it announcing its message
Let's answer it and go to Church throughout the year.

Many thanks to her for providing this detail.

MRS R.J.S. GOODWILLIE (nee Jean Gillies)

1/5/2023 01:30:30 am

Emma
I remember your Grandmother, Nan, and your Great-Aunt Grace well.
I also remember your Great-Grandmother. She lived near my Uncle Sam, Auntie Annie and Anna in Station Park. Uncle Sam was Dad's brother. I'm now in West Lothian but I miss Largo a lot. We have been here since we were married in St. David's on the 31st of July 1971. I was very fond of Nan and Grace. I noticed that Grace's middle-name was Gillies and I wondered what the connection was to my Dad's side of the family. My Dad's name was James Simpson Gillies. My Grandad was Andrew Gillies. He and my Grannie, nee Isabella Kidd, lived in Goodsir House. My Auntie Lucy, Dad's sister, was married to John Clunie, the fishmerchant.

Emma

12/1/2024 06:20:28 am

yes they abided in Staion Park, im not 100% sure other than i know they had family who were Gillies that stayed in the house underneath Alexander selkirk statue growing up.

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Largo St David's Church

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