Dumfrie&GallowayWHITHORNStNinianPrioryChurch(billymccrorieCC-BY-SA2.0)1 BillyMcCrorie

St Ninian Priory Church

Amble down the quiet lanes of Galloway, southwest Scotland until you arrive at the historic town of Whithorn where St Ninian first brought Christianity to Scotland.

Whithorn, Dumfries & Galloway

Opening times

Church open daily 8am to 5pm.

Address

Bruce Street
Whithorn
Dumfries & Galloway
DG8 8PY

The present Priory Church was built in 1822 and sits on a hill within a Grade I Scheduled monument and surrounded by the ruins of the original Priory, parts of which date back to the 12th century.

Stepping inside this Victorian galleried church you will find a sanctuary of peace away from the bustle of everyday life. There is fine oak carved furniture, original pews and two special stain glass windows: ‘The Good Shepherd’ window and ‘The St Ninian’ window. Memorials to three long serving past ministers decorate the walls and in the tower hangs one of a few remaining bells cast by David Burges in 1846 at his foundry in Glasgow.

The church has a new picnic site situated in the corner of the Glebe field next to the Priory where seating is available to have your picnic lunch with views looking over the surrounding country side. The Priory has always been a pilgrimage site where Kings, Queens, and commoners came to visit down the centuries and recently the original pilgrimage route from Glasgow has been opened up again and added to.

The area around the Priory Church is steeped in archaeology and a dig started in the 1980s produced many finds some of which are exhibited in the ‘Trust shop’ situated in the main street.

A warm welcome awaits you at the Priory church when you make your way down to Whithorn!

  • Wildlife haven

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Famous connections

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Church shop or souvenirs

  • Café within 500m

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Morning worship takes place every Sunday at 10am. A creche and Sunday school is available during morning worship. Evening services are held at 7pm each Sunday from September until May.

  • Church of Scotland

  • Foundation Grant, £8,465, 2019

  • Our Foundation Grants fund urgent maintenance work and small repairs to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

All Saints

Challoch, Dumfries & Galloway

A fine example of a small rural Victorian church within a thriving community.

St Margaret

New Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway

Small Arts & Crafts style church with charming wooden lychgate fronting the road.