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Kirk of Calder
is a 16th Century Church built on the site of an earlier
12th Century Church.
Today's Church is the Parish
Church for Mid Calder and Pumpherston; it has a active
congregation with services each Sunday.
During the summer months, it
opens between 2 and 4pm to allow visitors the
opportunity to view and learn some of its long and
fascinating history with guides on hand to provide tours.
The Church is part of the local
community, a place of worship and where its history and its
rich heritage are shared.
A Church has stood
on the site since the 12th century. Kirk of Calder, The
present church dates from 1541 with an extension added in
the 1860s. Two carved stone Celtic crosses, survive from the
original Church, one is on display within the Church. The
building is Grade A Listed with Historic Environment
Scotland Ref LB14144
https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/apex/f?p=1505:300:::::VIEWTYPE,VIEWREF:designation,LB14144
The Church has close links with the Reformation and John
Knox was a regular preacher and one of its ministers
helped draft the Scots Confession of 1560. The first
reformed communion after the Reformation took place in
nearby Calder house.
The Church was also at the centre of persecution, and
at least 5 women were tried and convicted under the
witchcraft act. Information about these events is
available in the Church.
The Church was also a place of
worship for Frederic Chopin during his time in Scotland.
James ‘Paraffin’ Young and his family were regular
worshipers and the family later donated a number of fine
stain glass widows. It is believed that the explorer
David Livingston also visited the Church. Call to
worship is made each Sunday by the 17th century
Rotterdam bell.
"The
Friends of Kirk of Calder" open the church to visitors 2- 4pm on
Sundays, May to September and the Co-ordinator is Mr. John Jamieson
01506-411722.
For those who can't visit John Jamieson has
prepared a 14minute long Virtual Tour you can view
here or
click the image.
We were fortunate the last four seasons to host a special exhibition within
the Kirk by a separate organisation called "The
Calder Witch Hunt ". The Kirk was the actual setting for some of the
trials and even where some of the "witches" were tried and tortured.
We are hosting this again for the 2026 season
More details here
A memorial Plaque was commissioned and
placed in the Vestry in 2023
Link to the Witches memorial Website
https://witches.is.ed.ac.uk/memorials
View the YouTube video on its
installation here
https://youtu.be/966a0WZR928
The Kirk minutes and Witch Hunt Exhibition
The Calder Witch Hunt have a comic book created by
brilliantly talented artist Caitlyn Bannatyne and it tells the stories
of the people who were affected by the Calder Witch Hunt.
The Kirk in 1547
For More photos visit the Kirk's Photo
Gallery
r
Windows and altar
 View
West Lothian Council Memorial Service 16th September 2022 Slideshow Pics
38 seconds long click here https://fb.watch/fBTtaeYJ3O/
View West Lothian
Council Memorial Service for the Queen on 16th September 2022 (click link) 48
minutes long https://fb.watch/fBUtCjJK8O/
Kirk of Calder service
for Sunday 18th September 2022
- Gordon Pennykid can be viewed at the link below.
https://fb.watch/fPeiaQrUDx/
Some Pew Graffiti
Kirk of Calder Giving
Please see
Accounts and Donations page
Please visit the Photo
Gallery to see all aspects of the Church
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Have you ever seen the Kirk look like this?
The Property Team have been experimenting with floodlighting -
This was the Kirk lit up for the Christmas Tree lighting
service and ceremony on 6th December 2025
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Service every Sunday at 10:30am
Next Services
| Sunday 24th May 2026 10:30 Rev
William Watt |
| Sunday 31st May 2026 10:30
Rev William Watt
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| Teas and Coffee in the Glenalmond
Hall after morning services -all welcome.
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| The Sunday afternoon Kirk Tours has
now re-opened and run every Sunday till the end September 2026
Open from 2pm to 4pm. Admission FREE
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| WEST LOTHIAN FOODBANK PENTECOST
APPEAL
A special new 24 day Pentecost appeal initiative is started in
the Kirk on 1st May 2026 and will end on Sunday 26th May, with a
list of suggested items they urgently need with the idea of
adding them all (or as many as you can!) to your shopping for
donation to the foodbank.
Pick up a list at the church door or download it
here
FUTURE SOCIAL EVENTS |
Concert Friday 5th June 2026 at 19:30 , Tickets
£5
Summer Fayre
20th June 2026
Pop In Café
– Every Tuesday from 10am – 12pm at the Glenalmond Hall*. Tea,
coffee, soft drinks, and cake. Everyone welcome
View
the latest Kirk of Calder Church Magazine
(Easter 2026) as PDF
here or click cover
pic below
(Please be patient - this may take a
couple of minutes to fully download!)
The Kirk's Highlights Community Choir are looking
for new Voices!
Contact John Rankine
07824 970287
Inside view of the Bell Tower
The Guild
meet (Sept-Nov and Feb-April)
on the second and fourth Thursdays
of these months - The meetings are held
at 2pm - 4pm in the Glenalmond Hall.
The Choral Highlights Choir
meet on Wednesday evenings in the Church at
7:30pm
New members welcome.
Special opening of the Church for small tours or for quiet
'Moments of Reflection' can be arranged at any time of year by
contacting the Church Officer
eleanorblair17@gmail.com or 07823 328609
| Carers of West Lothian will visit
the Tuesday cafe the
first Tuesday of every month.
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| Next Session Meeting on Wednesday
10th June 2026 7:30
in the Glenalmond Hall
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| The Glenalmond hall has recently
had a new kitchen fitted
and been redecorated and is available
to hire out to individuals
or organizations with seating for up
to 40. (standing up to 60)Contact Eleanor Blair
eleanorblair17@gmail.com
or
tel 07823 328609 emailfor
prices and bookings.
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| Sunday Club for 4 years old and up.
Meet in the Church every
Sunday at 10:30 then adjourn to the Glenalmond Hall.
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We now have a QR code in
order that you can make payments
for events or donations to the
church.
Scan the code with your
smart phone camera and follow the instructions!
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| Rev William Watt has
indicated in order to get to know his parishioners and intends
to visit the entire congregation along
with their district elder,
if you haven't had a visit yet, it could
be soon!
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Debbie Fleming a solicitor with
KW Law continues to provide to
offer the opportunity to meet members of the congregation, to
discuss
the preparation of a Will
and/or Power of
Attorney.
Last session was on Sunday 29th March 2026 following the
morning
service.
If you are interested in a future appointment please
contact
- Susan Adams susanmjadams@aol.com
07823 328 609.
Donations (min £50.00) for this service.
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| A box for Donations for the West
Lothian Foodbank and
toiletries for Dignity Box can
both be left at the main door.
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A great drone picture
(Page banner and above) of
the Kirk by local Droneography expert Liam Bullerwell who has
kindly agreed that it can be reproduced here
If you click the picture above
you can see Liam's Video
Drone Fly Past of the Church lasting 38 seconds. Please note
it takes a little while to load or it will buffer so its best to let
it load fully first before playing!.
Our grateful thanks go
to the Rev Liam Fraser, Rev Gordon Jamieson and the Rev.
Nanda Groenewald who have
previously all in turn undertook the Interim Moderator
role during the 3 years years we had to wait till February 2025
when we got a new minister in post in
The Kirk of Calder Parish
Profile is on the Church of Scotland's website and can be viewed
here
DUO Fiona and John
Message from our musical director - Free performances!
Hi everyone,
We sing a variety of styles including classic pop, country and
ballads, with special requests taken in advance of bookings.
Available, free of charge, for community and charity events,
concerts and entertainment for local groups, care homes, etc.
With an extensive repertoire, we tailor the set list to your
audience and venue. See us at regular Wee Concerts held in
Glenalmond hall.
We are in the process of planning our music entertainment for
the next few months. Easy listening, well known songs and a bit
of nonsense.
Contact at johnrankine.music@gmail.com
Web-
www.chvocalmusic.co.uk
To hear some of the music we perform at the moment,
you can hear us on You Tube Sampler.
https://youtu.be/VGusiAC7-6c
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The Choir sing a selection of Traditional Scottish Songs Pop-up Sing
along
including Street Songs lasting 16 minutes. Click
here
or on image below
Their You Tube Channel can be accessed from this link
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm290UIhbwCTjkwBwyttm7w
| Have you considered leaving a
legacy to the Kirk in your will, then please download the Legacy
Policy Form and information leaflet
here
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Walk
round the historic Kirk of Calder on a sunny day is another new addition
to he YouTube videos Click the photo below to watch and listen
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The Kirk of Calder is situated on Main Street,
Mid Calder,
EH53 0AN
what3words address ///lifeguard.cherubs.endings
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