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Cupar Old Parish Churchyard

Memorials	:	0
Location	:	Cupar, Scotland
Description	:	The first Parish Church of Cupar, dedicated to St Christopher, was located to the north of the town and dated from before the 12th C. A number of graves were located during excavations in 1912, and again in the late 20th C. However, all that is now visible on the site is an earthwork. This church was replaced in 1415 with a church on the present site in the Kirkgate which belonged to the Priory of St Andrews. In 1618, it was united with the disused church of St Michael of Tarvit, which had belonged to the Abbey of Cambuskenneth, and... Read More	The first Parish Church of Cupar, dedicated to St Christopher, was located to the north of the town and dated from before the 12th C. A number of graves were located during excavations in 1912, and again in the late 20th C. However, all that is now visible on the site is an earthwork. This church was replaced in 1415 with a church on the present site in the Kirkgate which belonged to the Priory of St Andrews. In 1618, it was united with the disused church of St Michael of Tarvit, which had belonged to the Abbey of Cambuskenneth, and renamed Cupar Old and St Michael of Tarvit Parish Church. By 1785, this church was in decay and the main body was demolished. A new church was built, with the original tower and north aisle being retained. With later modifications and repairs, this is the current Cupar Parish Church, which stands on the northern edge of the walled enclosure of the graveyard. An ‘extension’ to the Parish Churchyard was opened around 1842. Known as St James' Cemetery, it is listed separately, together with the associated memorials. It was noted that ‘there was a great depth of burials’ around the medieval church when it was demolished. Unfortunately, none of these graves remain visible. It is also believed that the present building was built at a significantly higher ground level than its predecessor. There are some family burial enclosures at the west end of the graveyard which may include structural elements of the medieval church. The most important historical gravestone still visible in the Churchyard is the ‘Covenanters’ Stone’, or ‘Martyrs’ Stone’. This commemorates David Hackston of Rathillet, one of the assassins of James Sharp, Archbishop of St Andrews and Primate of Scotland, on nearby Magus Muir in 1679, together with two other committed Fife Covenanters, Laurence Hay and Andrew Pitulloch. There are also memorials to members of the Cochrane, Wemyss and Graham families inside the Church. The main gate to the churchyard in Kirkgate seems to be permanently closed, but access can be gained from the small gate in Ashlar Lane on the south side.

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Where is Cupar Old Parish Churchyard?
Cupar Old Parish Churchyard is located at Kirkgate Cupar ,Fife , KY15 5ALScotland.
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