Swinton & Simprim

Parish No 755 Swinton & Simprim is located within the County of Berwickshire which is now known as the Scottish Borders. Swinton sits 6.6 miles south of Duns, while Simprim sits 8.4 miles south of Duns. For a map of Swinton & Simprim please click here. .

"SWINTON, a parish ,containing a post-office village of its own name, in the Merse district of Berwickshire. It is bounded by Fogo, Edrom, Whitsome, Ladykirk, Coldstream, and Eccles ... The present parish of Swinton comprehends the ancient parishes of Swinton and Simprin, which were united in 1761."

from the Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, edited by John Marius Wilson, 1868.

History

The Parishes of Swinton and Simprim were united in 1761. The remains of Swinton Parish Church are at the east end of the village on the Swinton to Coldstream road. In 1843 a Free Church congregation was formed. The location of which is now a home on the Coldstream Road. The second church is now Swinton Village Hall, which is located in the middle of the main street.

The Parish of Swinton had a body snatcher. Dr Wilson who came from Swinton is said to have been a body snatcher in the 1820’s although there is no proof he undertook these activities in the village of Swinton.

Church History

Swinton Parish Church

It is thought that the Parish Church in Swinton was built around 1100. Swinton was part of the foundation gift given by King Edgar to the monks of Durham at Coldingham in 1100. It is believed that King Edgar himself attended the dedication of Coldingham Priory. Robert, Bishop of St Andrews confirmed in 1150 the grant of the churches of Swinton and Fishwick to Coldingham.

Swinton Parish Church was originally a long narrow building; parts of the walls are thought to be from the original formation. It is believed that the first renovation Swinton Parish Church received was in 1593, it is thought that the pulpit was placed in the centre of the south wall during this renovation.

In 1782 the Feuars’ Aisle was added to Swinton Parish Church as a central North Wing. The Wing was used for the feuholders and the future holders of their properties. In 1834 Swinton Parish Church had seating for 400 parishioners, however it is said that between 50 and 70 people were regularly given with seats in the passage.

Swinton Parish Church was practically rebuilt in 1910, which was the last major renovation to the church. The church was re-roofed and was given a new floor. The Church also received new pews and a new pulpit.

Swinton Free Church

A substantial number of members left Swinton Parish Church in 1843. Together with members of neighbouring Parishes they soon had 200 members, which by 1848 had reached 260. By 1900 there was still 248 members of the Swinton Free Church. In the beginning services had to be held on the village green, then the services were held in a wooden pavilion which was located ina garden on the east side of the green.

The original Swinton Free Church was built on the east side of the village, the gable still has the inscription on the stone panel ‘Free Protesting Church of Scotland 1843’. The Free Church congregation used this building until 1960 when the new church was opened. The new church had seating for 520 members.

The congregation of the Swinton Free Church united with the Parish Church in 1932. The building used as the Free Church became the church hall. The hall became disused and was sold off to the local authority in the 1950’s. The building today is used as the village hall.

Simprim Parish Church

Simprim Parish Church was dedicated by Bishop David de Bernham in June 1247. A new Bell, Steeple and weather cock was added to Simprim Parish Church in 1756. The church closed in 1761 in favour of Swinton parish Church. The church bell was removed after this and taken to Swinton House, where it remained until 1854 when it was installed in the bell tower of Christ Church Scottish Episcopal Church in Duns.

The remains of Simprim Church and the Churchyard sits on the bend of the Swinton to Coldstream road at the east end of the village of Swinton. The east gable of the church still stands and is probably the original wall.

Population

Here are some figures showing the parish's population through time:

1755 - 494

1791 - 898

1801 - 875

1811 - 866

1821 - 919

1831 - 971

1841 -

1851 -

1861 - 964

1871 -

1881 - 967

1891 -

1901 -

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