The Addition of the Chancel
The church built in 1804 was square in shape and had a plain back wall behind the pulpit; it must have been a much darker place than we are used to today. Plans to make improvements to the building were proposed by Mr Sime during the latter part of his ministry but, due to his ill-health nothing was done. With the arrival of Rev James Gillespie, the plans seem to have been resurrected and in 1906 the fine chancel that we have today was added. Cash came from a variety of sources. The Heritors, as they so often did, financed some of the work and the congregation held a Grand Bazaar which raised a substantial sum. The daughters of Archibald Finnie undertook the provision of the magnificent stained-glass window in memory of their father, mother and brothers. The oak pulpit was presented by Helena Finnie.
A new organ was purchased from Norman & Beard of Norwich and London. This meant that the old organ in the gallery could be disposed of and the opportunity was taken to replace the seating in the gallery. Since there was no available electricity supply the blower for the organ required an alternative source of energy. This could be provided manually using a lever attached to a set of bellows beside the organ. These still exist although the bellows have perished and no longer operate. The task of operating the bellows would be a fairly physical one and at some time, either at installation or later, a water driven blower was installed and used water from the village water main that passed the front of the church.
The choir stalls and chancel arch that we know today were not part of the project. These were installed in 1919 as a gift from Mrs George Morton of Lochgreen, Troon in memory of her son. The war memorial tablets were included in this gift.