Stow St Mary of Wedale and Heriot Parish Church plays an important in the life of the community and is closely linked to the history of the parish. The iconic building which is the present church stands on a commanding rise looking over the entire valley and dates back to 1876. From 2021, we are linked with the neighbouring parish of Caddonfoot.
Prior to then, the church stood in the middle of the village, and the remains of the building are a focal point near the A7 crossroads.
The church is a central focus for the Gala Water valley and services are held each Sunday (Heriot 9.45; Stow 11.15), as well as special services for occasions such as Christmas and Easter.
Provision is made for both Junior Church and Crèche, and services at Stow, Heriot and Fountainhall, are often led by the church choir, all of whom are local volunteers.
The Church tries to reach out to the community with good links to local schools and to churches in Galashiels. As part of the Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles it plays its part in the wider community, not least by involvement with collections for good causes such as Christian Aid, but also through support for Presbytery’s partner churches in Zomba, Malawi.
New members are always welcomed, whether by formal adherence or just through occasional attendance. The Church is a local organisation and depends on local people to lead and guide it. We value our place in the local community and believe it is important to provide the word of Jesus Christ to those who want to hear it and to provide spiritual support where we can.
The church has its own website and its principal contacts are:
Minister – Rev Victoria Linford (01578 730237)
Session Clerk – Dianne Wilson (01896 668381)
Treasurer – Mr Fraser Simm (01578-730297)
