St Ninian Priory Church

The present Priory Church was built in 1822 and sits on a hill within a Grade I Scheduled monument and surrounded by the ruins of the original Priory, parts of which date back to the 12th century.

Stepping inside this Victorian galleried church you will find a sanctuary of peace away from the bustle of everyday life. There is fine oak carved furniture, original pews and two special stain glass windows: ‘The Good Shepherd’ window and ‘The St Ninian’ window. Memorials to three long serving past ministers decorate the walls and in the tower hangs one of a few remaining bells cast by David Burges in 1846 at his foundry in Glasgow.

The church has a new picnic site situated in the corner of the Glebe field next to the Priory where seating is available to have your picnic lunch with views looking over the surrounding country side. The Priory has always been a pilgrimage site where Kings, Queens, and commoners came to visit down the centuries and recently the original pilgrimage route from Glasgow has been opened up again and added to.

The area around the Priory Church is steeped in archaeology and a dig started in the 1980s produced many finds some of which are exhibited in the ‘Trust shop’ situated in the main street.

A warm welcome awaits you at the Priory church when you make your way down to Whithorn!