|
Admin
history |
The parish of Whitekirk (formerly Hamer) comprises the three ancient parishes of Hamer and Aldhame, which were united after the reformation, and Tyningham which was united with Whitekirk in 1760. The 12th century Whitekirk parish church belonged to the Abbey of Holyrood and stood as an important place of Pilgrimage prior to 1560. The old holy well of the church was reputed to have miraculous healing qualities and from the 13th century drew many pilgrims to the site, including James I who placed the church under his personal protection. The importance of the church as a place of pilgrimage ceased following the reformation. The church of Whitekirk, which was restored in 1885, had all but the stone walls destroyed in a fire in 1914 caused by Suffragettes as an act of protest. The building was later restored in 1917. In 1970 the parish of Dunbar was linked with Whitekirk and Tyninghame however this linkage was terminated in 1974 in favour of a link with Athelstaneford. The kirk session sat within the Presbytery of Dunbar later of Haddington and Dunbar and presently of Lothian. |