The landmark is the North Parish Church on Montgomerie Street, built in 1883 by McKissack & Rowan — the same architects as the McKechnie Institute. Its slender spire is the tallest thing in Girvan and the feature that identifies the town from the sea, from the harbour and from Byne Hill. If you have photographed Girvan, you have photographed this spire.
The others
Sacred Hearts serves the town's Catholic community, whose presence here dates largely from the Irish immigration of the nineteenth century — the same movement that gave Girvan much of its character and a good deal of its music.
The old parish kirkyard on Old Street is the more interesting stop for a visitor. This is the oldest ground in the burgh, the medieval heart of the town before the Victorian seafront existed, and the stones are worth ten minutes. It sits on the heritage trail between the harbour and the High Street.
For visitors
The churches hold regular services and visitors are welcome; times are posted locally or can be checked at the Tourist Information Point. Several also open for concerts and events, particularly during the folk festival on the May bank holiday weekend, when church halls and sanctuaries are used as venues — a church concert is often the best-sounding room in the whole festival.
Buildings of this kind are not always open outside service times, so if the interior is what you want, go at a service or ask.
See the history of Girvan for how the town grew, and the heritage trail to link the churches with the rest of the old burgh.
