Prestongrange Parish Church

About

Prestongrange Parish Church is a Church of Scotland kirk situated in the former mining town of Prestonpans in East Lothian. Constructed in 1596, it is one of the first churches built in Scotland following the Scottish Reformation of 1560. In 1606, Prestonpans was created a parish in its own right, after centuries as part of the parish of Tranent.

A church had existed south of Prestonpans since the 12th century, administered by the canons of Holyrude Abbey. However, that church, near Northfield House, was destroyed in 1544 by the earl of Hertford during the Rough Wooing campaign against the Scots after their refusal to allow Princess Mary of Scotland (later Mary, Queen of Scots) to marry Henry's son, Prince Edward.