The Culdees
The first missionaries to arrive in Monymusk were the Culdees or ‘Servants of God'. It is possible that they were the followers of St. Ninian and his missionaries from Whithorn.
They seem to have been a loosely knit society of missionaries whose presence was felt in various parts of Europe and who resented any conformity to a central ecclesiastical organisation.
It is to them that the Christian life of Monymusk owes it origin, and while no trace of the mud and stone walls and thatched roofs of their cells and church remain, their spirit, faith and courage began a mission which continues to the present day.
They seem to have been a loosely knit society of missionaries whose presence was felt in various parts of Europe and who resented any conformity to a central ecclesiastical organisation.
It is to them that the Christian life of Monymusk owes it origin, and while no trace of the mud and stone walls and thatched roofs of their cells and church remain, their spirit, faith and courage began a mission which continues to the present day.
Ancient Stones
Three ancient Christian stones are on display in the vestibule.
The two small engraved burial stones are the oldest artefacts on display in the church and are thought to date back to the 6th century. The 9th century Pictish stone was found in a field at Nethermains farm, less than a mile from the church. It is an unhewn, striated granite boulder decorated with an intricately carved celtic cross.
It was preserved in a glass case in the billiard room of Monymusk House until its removal to the church in 1979. |
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The Monymusk Reliquary
The Brecbannoch is the most priceless surviving relic of the Celtic Church in Scotland. Originally it contained a bone of St. Columba, was venerated as a sacred relic and carried before the Scots army at Bannockburn. It is thought to date from the 7th Century and is commonly known as the Monymusk Reliquary.
Until 1933 it was kept in the House of Monymusk when it was sold to pay death duties. Its permanent home is now the Scottish Museum in Edinburgh.
Until 1933 it was kept in the House of Monymusk when it was sold to pay death duties. Its permanent home is now the Scottish Museum in Edinburgh.
The Priory
At the beginning of the 12th century, Queen Margaret of Scotland imposed reforms which brought the Culdees into the more organised Roman Church of St Andrews in Fife.
The 12 Culdees became a Prior and 11 canons of the Augustinian Order.
The 12 Culdees became a Prior and 11 canons of the Augustinian Order.
Monastic Life
The monastery in Monymusk comprised a refectory, a dormitory, and an oratory and had a right to burial in the parish graveyard. There was also a school, Scollatis land, 3 gardens, a croft and pasture for 6 horses and 15 sheep.
Although little is known about the Priory during its active life there would have been little difference between the activities in Monymusk and other centres of the Order. These included canonical services, training of novices, study of theology, limning and a school of music to sing the service. The practice of agriculture would have been included in the curriculum.
Although little is known about the Priory during its active life there would have been little difference between the activities in Monymusk and other centres of the Order. These included canonical services, training of novices, study of theology, limning and a school of music to sing the service. The practice of agriculture would have been included in the curriculum.
The tower and some parts of the present church date from this period. Malcolm III gave a grant of land to the Cathedral of St. Andrew's (Fife) in thanksgiving for victory over his enemies in 1078, and the Romanesque style of architecture suggests that the building was completed early in the second half of the 12th Century.
At that time the church building may have been a dual purpose place of worship: a parish Church for the inhabitants who stood in the nave and a conventual building for the canons who occupied the Chancel.
By the early 16th Century the Priory had lost its pristine zeal and evangelical fervour and entered into a period of decline. Quarrels split the little community, fire gutted the Priory buildings and debt ended its existence.
At that time the church building may have been a dual purpose place of worship: a parish Church for the inhabitants who stood in the nave and a conventual building for the canons who occupied the Chancel.
By the early 16th Century the Priory had lost its pristine zeal and evangelical fervour and entered into a period of decline. Quarrels split the little community, fire gutted the Priory buildings and debt ended its existence.
The Parish Church
In 1560, the Church in Scotland, now reformed, began a new era and addressed itself to the task of meeting the problems of its generation.
St Mary’s Priory church became the parish Church and continued as the centre of Church life in the Community. Internally it was adapted to suit reformed worship. The two arches were closed up; a new wing was added on the North side for the laird and his family, while the pulpit was transferred to the centre of the long South wall. A door on this South wall built later in 1660 made it easier for the minister to mount the pulpit and not find himself in difficulty with the dogs which accompanied their masters to the service.
Church Music
Sir Archibald Grant, laird of Monymusk, who was the pioneer in progressive agriculture in his own day and did for Scotland what Lord Townsend did for England, was also very interested in Church music.
In 1753 he brought Ensign Channon to Monymusk where he was appointed precentor in the Church.
Through the influence of Sir Archibald the repeating of the line in Psalm singing was eliminated and Scottish church music had the beginning of its revival in this church. Choirs from Monymusk travelled throughout the north-east of Scotland teaching local congregations this new form of church worship which was not universally approved of for some years.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, twice preached in the Church during his Scottish tours. In his Journal of 1766 he commented on the beauty of the Parish, the glory of the trees and the good singing. He was less impressed by the congregation, noting “I spoke exceedingly plain; yet the hearers did not appear to be any more affected than the stone walls.”
St Mary’s Priory church became the parish Church and continued as the centre of Church life in the Community. Internally it was adapted to suit reformed worship. The two arches were closed up; a new wing was added on the North side for the laird and his family, while the pulpit was transferred to the centre of the long South wall. A door on this South wall built later in 1660 made it easier for the minister to mount the pulpit and not find himself in difficulty with the dogs which accompanied their masters to the service.
Church Music
Sir Archibald Grant, laird of Monymusk, who was the pioneer in progressive agriculture in his own day and did for Scotland what Lord Townsend did for England, was also very interested in Church music.
In 1753 he brought Ensign Channon to Monymusk where he was appointed precentor in the Church.
Through the influence of Sir Archibald the repeating of the line in Psalm singing was eliminated and Scottish church music had the beginning of its revival in this church. Choirs from Monymusk travelled throughout the north-east of Scotland teaching local congregations this new form of church worship which was not universally approved of for some years.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, twice preached in the Church during his Scottish tours. In his Journal of 1766 he commented on the beauty of the Parish, the glory of the trees and the good singing. He was less impressed by the congregation, noting “I spoke exceedingly plain; yet the hearers did not appear to be any more affected than the stone walls.”
