The Parish

On 1st January 2025, Carlingwark Parish Church of Scotland was formed, through an amalgamation (in Church of Scotland terms, a “Union”) of three existing parishes (Castle Douglas, Bengairn, and Corsock and Kirkpatrick Durham).

The new parish covers a large area within the historic Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightshire, centred on the town of Castle Douglas, together with villages and hamlets, and many estates, farms and other residences.

Castle Douglas Church now serves the people of Castle Douglas and those from outwith the town who have chosen to worship with us.

The church building has been fitted with 2 phases of solar panels and recent upgrades to the heating and lighting. It is carpeted throughout and the comfortable chairs can be rearranged to suit specific needs. There is an induction Loop system and IT equipment allows for computer- generated graphics.  The church has been be used as a venue for concerts and drama.

A suite of Halls was built in the 1990s : a large ground floor hall with well-equipped kitchen and three rooms of varying sizes beneath are extensively used by the congregation and the community for a wide variety of activities.

Auchencairn Church is in the village of the same name, very close to the coast, on the southern side of Carlingwark Parish. The church’s “footprint” covers Palnackie, Buittle, Auchencairn, Gelston and Dundrennan, and the countryside adjacent to all these settlements.

The church’s heating has had a recent upgrade, and further alterations are currently under discussion

Kirkpatrick-Durham Church was built in1850 although earlier  buildings of 1749 and 1529 are recorded on the site. Before that from the 13th century  there was a church at Minnydow  just outside of the village .It has strong Covenanters connections notably through Gabriel Semple and the martyr John Neilson. It has good disabled access, an induction loop system and  IT equipment  set up for both visual graphics and a full range of Hymns and incidental church music as required. Flexible comfortable seating allows for concerts, meetings, and other community events. Situated on the entry to the village from Old Bridge of Urr the building overlooks the village and surrounding countryside.