Bo'ness Old Kirk

In 1638 the inhabitants of Bo’ness built their own church at Corbiehall to replace that at Kinneil. The present church was opened in 1888 on the hill above. It is a large Gothic church with Normandy details designed by Shiels and Thomson, architects, George Street, Edinburgh. It is constructed of snecked, squared rubble with ashlar dressings, using local stone.

The building is cruciform in plan with additional stair projections flanking the tower. A four bay nave with aisles has a four stage tower with a faceted spire standing at its north end, overlooking the Forth Estuary.

Above the door of the tower is a sculpture of the burning bush, and a carving of the Duke of Hamilton's coat-of-arms, in gratitude of his subscription. The 175ft tall tower dominates the coastline. The galleried interior consists of three lofts - the Laird’s Loft under the tower; the Mariners’ in the west transept; and the Miners’ in the east. The timber roof springs from corbelled shafts, supported on alternating round and octagonal columns by pointed arches about 18ft high. The main couples being supported by carved capitals. The chancel arch facing the congregation is 35ft tall with fine carving at the springs and echoes the large traceried window in the gable.