The Churches
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The Churches. No-one knows when the first churches were built in Bolton or Saltoun, although Christianity came relatively early to East Lothian. In the year 1244 the redoubtable Bishop of St.Andrews, David de Bernham, is on record as consecrating churches in both communities, but there is no suggestion that these were new buildings. The service of consecration took five hours, and a good deal of stamina, with the singing of many psalms and much elaborate ritual. (The Pontifical, or Service Book, which David de Bernham used still exists, in the Louvre. A typescript commentary on this book, by the late Very Rev.Dr.David Steel, exists, a copy of which I have). For most of recorded church history, however, we should regard the churches separately. *****
Bolton Church. There were at least two, perhaps three churches at Bolton before the present one was built in 1809. The building has remained structurally unchanged since then, although various changes and improvements have been wrought within. These include a central aisle, a larger sanctuary area, an offset pulpit (in "Carpenter's Gothic", according to Colin McWilliam in "The Buildings of Lothian"), and some stained glass. Seating capacity is now around 120, although it was once more. The architect was probably Archibald Elliot. The building is B-Listed by the Scottish Office. Features within include the gallery on clustered iron pillars, still containing the Lairds Lofts of the neighbouring "Big Houses" of Lennoxlove, Colstoun and Eaglescairnie. The church bell is by Burgherhuis of Holland, quite old and certainly salvaged and re-hung from earlier Bolton churches. Outside are the graves of the mother, brother and sister of the poet Robert Burns. Burns' brother Gilbert was an elder of the Kirk when the present building was erected, and since he was also Factor of the local Blantyre estates, he probably had much to do with its construction. (The present Kirk Session makes no comment on his abilities as Elder or Factor, but has certain reservations as to his abilities as a Clerk of Works. Certain areas of Bolton church were really quite badly constructed and have caused trouble and expense in recent years.) Famous possessions of Bolton include the Bolton Hearse, a horse-drawn vehicle believed to be the earliest surviving piece of Scottish coachwork still in existence, and the Bolton graveguard, a well preserved memento of body-snatching days, and one of the best of such relics around. The hearse is kept in the Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh, but the graveguard and its accessories are on display in the porch of the church. See below for pictures. Click on the thumbnail.
Some bits of descriptive text are added here
 The Bolton Hearse. Two horses cost rather more than one, and there was a mileage charge too. The Bolton Graveguard and a few of its accessories, on display in the porch of Bolton church. Click on the thumbnail to see a proper picture.  Relics from Body Snatching times. The Communion Cups used in Bolton and Saltoun are shown here. These are of old Scottish Silver and were made in 1670. (They are stored in very secure safe-keeping when not in use.) As ever, click on the thumbnails to see the pictures.
 The Saltoun and Bolton Communion Cups.
A general view of Bolton church interior (as it was in 2004) is shown here. Click on the thumbnail to see a proper picture. [Since earlier days, the old harmonium has been replaced with a modern electronic instrument, nearly invisible at the right of this picture - less ethnic perhaps but much more versatile and greatly more reliable.]
 The interior of Bolton church in 2004. *****
Saltoun Church. As with Bolton, the present church stands roughly on the site of two or three earlier buildings. This church was built (or at least, almost totally rebuilt) in T-plan Gothic style by John Fletcher Campbell in 1805 as "a monument to the virtues of his ancestors", and is dedicated to St.Michael. It was designed by Robert Burn, but the inside was re-cast by John Lessels in 1885 when the three internal galleries were removed and the sanctuary increased in size. Other minor improvements have been made since. Seating is now about 150, but was once more. The spire is reputedly 99 feet tall, as there was a tax on spires over 100 feet high! The building is A-Listed by the Scottish Office. Saltoun has been associated with a number of notable men throughout its history. Patrick Scougall was appointed minister by parliament in 1659, with a commission to seek out and burn witches in the neighbouring hamlet of Samuelston (one of my ancestors perhaps among them!). He later went on to become Bishop of Aberdeen. Gilbert Burnet followed, around 1665, and was a formative figure in the upbringing of Andrew Fletcher, later called "The Patriot", who vehemently opposed the Act of Union with England in 1707. Burnet was later appointed Bishop of Salisbury, and it is said that the proportions of the present church spire echo those of Salisbury cathedral, in his memory. Other men of note included James Graeme who in 1681 was expelled from Saltoun for his refusal to sign the Test Act, and Archibald Lundie "the father of the Church" who served in the parish for 64 years continuously until his death in 1760, aged 85. The Fletcher family has been, over the centuries, closely associated with Saltoun church. Many of them lie in the crypt beneath it. A couple of pictures follow. Please click on the thumbnails to see proper pictures. The first is a general view of Saltoun church interior, facing east; the second is the Fletcher "World War II" window, commemorating a family member lost at Anzio.  Saltoun church interior.  The "World War II" window in Saltoun.
The Tithe Byre.
The Tithe Byre was a joint venture between the church in Saltoun and the parish community. Both benefited from its activities, and so did the people who work so hard to make it a success. Away back in 1972 some old church properties on Saltoun village Main Street were converted from unused byres and stables, once attached to the nearby manse. They were turned into a suite of rooms including a kitchen and toilets. Much of this is now used as Session Rooms, a Tearoom in summer months, a meeting room for anyone who wants it - but importantly, a couple of rooms and a storeroom were set aside as the Tithe Byre, the Bygone Byre, and a necessary glory-hole for storing things.
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*** The principle behind the Tithe Byre was that anyone with any talent in any craft, be it woodworking, knitting, tapestry, baking, horticulture, artistry of all kinds, jam-making or the production of good free-range eggs, vegetables, plants and flowers, could bring it for sale on Saturdays and Sundays. Most of the proceeds went to the producer; a tiny amount was kept for expenses, and 10% (a Tithe) was given to Saltoun Church. For many years past this 10% has amounted to a very valuable £1000 or more each year. The Tithe Byre was a useful community activity, in which newcomers could meet people, and everyone who "does something" can find an outlet for their product. It is a sad fact of modern life however, that "young mums" and others have less free time than they once did, and the Tithe Byre suffered from the pressures of life upon its contributors. It eventually reached the end of its natural lifespan in 2003. This was a great pity, but such things have to be faced. The Tithe Byre was run in association with the Tearoom, which used a room next door and provided customers with home baked scones and cakes, and tea and coffee and things. This service was appreciated by passers by and also visitors to the village and the Tithe Byre. Incredibly, the few ladies who run the Tearoom each summer also managed to give the Church over £1000 most years. So, as I say, everyone benefited - except perhaps the good souls who donated so willingly of their time and efforts. The Bygone Byre, which still exists, is a small room, still with an ancient cobbled floor and traces of old cattle stalls, filled with the things that were commonplace in the village life of bygone years. Butter churns, knife grinders, old pictures and record books and memorabilia; tin baths and ancient "dunny" seats, tools and implements of long-gone farming days - even unto second World War ration books and such things! Tucked into the old building next to the Tithe Byre, and absolutely free to visit, the Bygone Byre is well worth a look.  Some of the exhibits in the Bygone Byre. *** ** Sadly, after the end of the 2002 season, and after thirty years of serving the public and the parish, the Tithe Byre closed its doors. It remains our hope that something will emerge to carry forward its traditions, but much thought and planning will be required. ** Shortly after the main Tithe Byre paragraphs were written, the Webmaster had the good fortune to enjoy an interview with Mrs.Nan Louden, widow of the Saltoun parish minister from about 1959-79, and the moving spirit behind the founding of the Tithe Byre in 1972. Mrs.Louden produced a good deal of Press coverage of the opening of the Tithe Byre, and also some photographs, a few of which are reproduced here. (The thumbnails are not very good, but the main pictures are better and will be of interest to anyone who remembers these days - thirty years ago now.) As ever, click on the thumbnails to see the photographs.
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