Morham Parish Church, East Lothian: Historic Building Recording & Archaeological Watching Brief Report

A pre-development Enhanced historic building recording survey was required by the East Lothian Council of the church prior to development. This level of survey, based on nationally recognised guidelines (ALGAO 2013; HE 2016) requires a photographic, written and drawn record preceded by an element of archive research to place the findings in context and aid the phasing, general history and development of the building. An archaeological watching brief was required on works associated with the removal of infill o the large archway between the church and the Dalrymple Aisle. The infill of the arch was manually dismantled from the top stone by stone. Morham church was built in 1724 with the Dalrymple Aisle being added in 1730. The church replaced an earlier church which is referred to as far back as the 13th century, although by the early 18th century is documented as being in poor repair. The building of the church was commissioned by Sir James Dalrymple after the Dalrymple family's acquisition of lands from the Seton family. The church was in use as a Sunday school and carved graffiti from this period survives on the timber pews. The church has seen only small alterations since the addition of the Dalrymple Aisle, the primary change being the blocking of the large arch connecting the north wall of the church to the interior of the Dalrymple Loft. Changes were also made to the south wall of the church by blocking an entrance door and converting it to a window. Minor changes to the church include renovations to parts of the church furniture, repairs to the quoins on the church door surround and the replacement of the window on the west gable. The Dalrymple Aisle has had the entrance to its crypt altered with the original stone steps covered over by a large plinth and the interior of the loft has been partially modernised including a tongue and groove timber ceiling. The most recent modification to the church is the addition of a toilet in the space between the north wall of the church and the rear of the forestair of the Dalrymple Aisle. The archaeological watching brief identified that the archway had been created with care and attention to detail with nicely-dressed stone work along the edge of the archway closest to the church.