This Church, the second oldest building in Hamilton and the oldest still used for its original purpose, was opened for worship over 275 years ago in 1734.

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The then Lord Hamilton in 1450 applied for permission to build a Collegiate Church, one which was served by a body of clergy called a “College”, some of whom had a teaching function. This was granted and the Collegiate Church of Hamilton was completed in 1462. It stood close to where the Mausoleum stands today in Strathclyde Park.

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The Church continued to be used as a place of worship until 1732 when the 5th Duke of Hamilton had it dismantled in order to improve the Palace Park. It was the Duke’s responsibility to provide a Church for the town, which at the time was expanding southwards.

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The land on which the new church was constructed was provided by the Aikmans of Ross Estate. They are remembered by a monument in the northwest porch of the church under which members of the Aikman family are interred.

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The Old Parish Church was designed on classical Italian lines by the famous architect William Adam, father of Robert. Begun in 1732, when the old Collegiate Church was demolished, it took two years to complete, being first used for public worship towards the end of 1734.

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The original plans reveal that the small dome cupola, which sets off the roof today, was not part of the original design. It was added in 1841.

 

The churchyard contains the Netherton Cross, which dates from the 10th or 11th century and was moved to the churchyard in 1926 following its discovery in the Hamilton Palace grounds, as well as two Covenanting martyrs memorials. There are cemetery records dating back to 1813.