Closeburn Old Kirk

The remains of the former parish church, rebuilt in 1741 incorporating the remains of its predecessor and in use until 1878 when its successor was built.

Norman fragments survive and a 10th.c Anglian cross-shaft (now in Dumfries Museum) and a grave-slab of similar date, preserved in the porch of the modern church in 1920, but now also in Dumfries Museum, are probably from this site, although located only to Closeburn.

The remains consist of an E gable wall 30′ long and 3′ thick with an arched and moulded doorway, a circular window and a belfry which contained a bell dated 1606. “Closeburn” was in 1200 “Kylosbern”, said to be a commemoration of an English saint, but Osbran was an Irish bishop and anchorite who died in 752.

The bell from the belfry still exists and was still “in situ” until recently. It is inscribed:-

+TREGINTA+DE+AGVST+APVD.POTERRAW

+ANNO+DOMINI+1606