Looking Back: To Save Covenanting Relics

From June 1964

If you travel from Glasgow to Kilmarnock by road, you pass on your left the village of Fenwick, nestling at the foot of the moor, in some lovely rolling country. The years have brought changes to Fenwick, but it still retains many of the characteristics of the past – its peace, the simple beauty of its low cottages, and its community spirit.

The church, surrounded by its kirkyard, is much as it was 300 years ago. There you will see the ‘jougs’, the instrument of punishment and emblem of shame; there on the pulpit is the sandglass, still used for the sermon; there too, you will see the faithful beadle pull the outside bell rope, calling the people of a wide parish to worship, just as they did in 1643 when the church was built. Fenwick Church is a living fellowship with a sense and atmosphere of history.

In the kirkyard lie six Covenanting martyrs. There is also a monument to Captain Paton, the ‘greatheart’ of Covenanting times, and one to William Guthrie, first minister of the parish, man of the Covenant, but supremely man of God.

A flat stone marks the resting place of John Howie, author of The Scots Worthies and historian of the Covenanting cause. He was reared at Lochgoin, a long low farm nestling in a clump of trees over 900 feet up on the moors, where successive generations of Howies have farmed for 800 years, beginning in 1178 when the family of ‘Huie’ came from the Waldensian valleys to escape persecution.

In the centuries following they still knew plenty of excitement. The young John lived too late to experience it, but he would hear tales from his parents of ‘the killing times’. He would hear how Lochgoin was ransacked and ravaged twelve times by dragoons; he would stand on The Tope (a little mound where now a Covenanting Monument stands) and recall how his ancestors watched there for the approach of the Redcoats, while Paton and others met for prayers in the farmhouse. He would hold Captain Paton’s sword and reverently handle his Bible (handed to his wife from the scaffold) and examine the flag ‘Phinick for God…..and Covenanted work of Reformations.’

The Sword and flag of Captain Paton, and his Bible which he handed to his wife from the scaffold.

These and other relics would fire his imagination and stir his blood, for they were housed at Lochgoin till a few months ago.

Now the chain has been broken. The last male Howie has retired and the relics are in danger of being scattered.

It is felt that they belong uniquely to the area; and a Trust has been formed to try to retain them in the Parish, either in their ancient home or in Fenwick Church. Funds are urgently required and the Trustees would be most grateful for any contribution.

The Trustees are:-

The Rt Hon Lord Rowallan, KT., KBE
A.D. Paton, Esq., C.A., 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow (Treasurer)
Duncan McKellar, Esq., J.P, Bunessan, Fenwick (Secretary)
The Rev A.C. Gibson, Minister of Fenwick

Looking Back menu

Life and Work is the magazine of the Church of Scotland. Subscribe here.