Mearns Kirkyard Project

Welcome to the Mearns Kirkyard Project

Whether you are a genealogy researcher or a casual browser, you are invited to open the pages of our record where you will find information about the Mearns of the past and about those who lived and worked here. Please contact us below for further information.

We are modestly confident that you will find elements of the record to be of interest.

Initially the project was limited to the recording of the gravestone inscriptions within the graveyard. However as the work advanced, we were encouraged to apply for a lottery grant. The award enabled the team to create a more comprehensive record accessible to a wider body of researchers.

If you have not previously been engaged in work and study of this nature we would ask you to reflect that many Kirkyards are unrecorded, and that only endeavours such as ours will ensure that the inscriptions will not be lost.

About the Kirk

It is believed that some form of Church has existed on this site from c.800 AD but the earliest written record appeared c.1190 when a priest, Helia de Perthic, gifted the newly founded Anglo – Norman Church to Paisley Abbey.

Through the centuries Mearns Kirk has steadfastly served its parishioners and has undergone several structural changes as it has sought to meet the needs of its times. The main square section of the present building dates from 1813 but in 1932 a Session House, Vestry, and Chancel were added to the west, east, and north sides and the interior was altered and refurbished.

Maintaining the internal beauty of the building is an ongoing task. In 2001 a major restructuring and enlarging of the Vestry area produced a fine entrance vestibule, while the raising and extending of the Chancel floor has created a most attractive open area in the centre of the Church which features in the National Buildings Record as a building of architectural merit.

The Kirkyard which surrounds the Church has been the final resting place of many parishioners – the oldest legible inscription dates back to 1611; the last interment occurred in the 1950s. The gate at the entrance to the Kirkyard has hollow gate posts which acted as sentry boxes in the early 19th century when graveyard watchers guarded the graves at night against “resurrectionists”, grave robbers, who supplied anatomists with corpses.

This historic building and its Kirkyard welcomes you!

Mearns Kirk graveyard map

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance rendered by the following groups:-

The Eastwood Photographic Society who recorded the image of every gravestone ; the librarians of E. Renfrewshire who responded willingly and patiently to our researchers ; Cauldstanes for modernising the web site whilst remaining faithful to the original style; the clever people of Precise Web Solutions who designed the C.D. ROM and the original website; the ‘Awards for All’ team who guided us through the completion of an application form ; The Heritage Lottery Fund who granted us funds to develop and promote the project; the Kirk’s assistance with accommodation for meetings; the families of the Mearns who readily and wholeheartedly provided accounts of their forebears’ lives in the Mearns and in so doing breathed life into the project.

We have endeavoured to compile an accurate record of the graveyard.

Our Page 2 Family Histories are in many instances based on accounts relayed to the team by Mearns family members. We are conscious of the personal and sensitive nature of these contributions and have sought to transcribe these accounts both faithfully and sympathetically especially as they portray aspects of bygone days.

Nevertheless, there may be discrepancies and errors in our record land for these we apologise in advance. If such are made known to us the data on our files will be amended.

Please contact us for information regarding the Mearns Kirkyard Project

Children & Young People

We are committed to nurturing faith at all stages of life. Our Sunday Club provides teaching and fellowship for children, led by an experienced Elder, with parents actively involved.

Activities

Mearns Kirk offer a wide a varied range of activities for all ages and abilities. These include Brownie and Guide groups, musical classes and amateur theatre groups as well as meditation classes and yoga classes.

Sunday Service

Our Sunday services are live streamed by a team of volunteers, making it possible for those at home to join in worship. Recordings of previous services are also available online – here.