204 REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1911 



the Duke of Roxburghe and Captain Riddell-Carre, who each 

 possessed burying-places within the precincts of the ancient 

 building, the former in the chancel, and the latter in the North 

 transept, but gave their consent to such a reconstruction as 

 would leave these sacred spots unmolested. The Church was 

 founded by the monks of Kelso in 1 128* and therefore exceeds 

 in antiquity those of Melrose and Dryburgh. The fabric had 

 undergone many changes, but a portion at least of the original 

 remained in the West gable and the North wall. At first rect- 

 angular in shape, and without transepts or structural chancel, 

 it was enlarged in the 15th century by the addition of 

 transepts, placed in the middle rather than at the chancel 

 end. About 1660 the North transept was converted into a 

 burying-place of the ancient house of Cavers-Carre, a private 

 pew of that family being built across the wall, which shut it off 

 from the main building. Probably the South transept was left 

 standing ; but in 1794, when the walls were reduced by 18 

 inches, and the stone barrel-vaulted roof was replaced by one of 

 timber, with a flat plaster ceiling, it entirely disappeared. In 

 1644, a burying-vault had been built at the East end of the 

 Church by the founder of the ducal house of Roxburghe, access 

 being obtained by a door inside the sacred edifice. Finally, the 

 East gable was taken down to admit of the erection of a private 

 gallery on the top of it, entrance to which was obtained by 

 an outside stair, and through a room situated immediately 

 above it. This room was afterwards curtailed for the con- 

 venience of members and parishioners resident on the ducal 

 estates. 



The scheme of restoration, completed in 1909, has reverently 

 preserved the antiquity of the building, and brought it up to 

 modern standards and requirements. Externally, the old familiar 

 lines remain intact, the lofty East end, a distinctive and well-nigh 

 unique feature, being also preserved. The walls of the nave 

 have been raised, the belfry rebuilt, and the slope between the 

 roofs of the chancel and the nave has been replaced by a strong 

 gable, surmounted with a Latin cross. Internally, the building 

 has been wholly re-modelled. The unusually high chancel, 

 necessitated by the site of the vault, affords dignity and distinction 

 to the place of worship, its walls being lined with chiselled 



