The Church Building

'A' Listed building

The church was built between 1654 & 1656, after the area which included the medieval Kirk of St John (St John's Tower in Citadel Place is the only remaining part) had been taken over by Cromwell's Commonwealth forces. The local commander, Colonel Alured, authorised funds to help pay for a replacement church. The remainder of funds were raised by local people.  

The church seats more than 900. Cruciform shape (originally T-shaped, then added to in 1836). 3 lofts (not 'galleries') : Merchants' (facing pulpit), Sailors' (above left ), Trades' (above right - outside entry); all supported by Corinthian columns. 

Upstairs  

Sailors' loft : model of ship Arethusa (42-gun ship, 21 ports on each side) suspended from ceiling is successor to a model of a barque given by French sailors in 1662 in thanks for help Ayr folk gave after they were shipwrecked in Ayr bay. Visiting sailors used to sit in this loft. One window of modern glass showing Christ on Waves, another (Garallan window) of stain (not painted) glass.  

Trades' loft : access from outside only. Various trades of town life sat here. Chairman of Trades Council sat in centre (there was robust rivalry for chairmanship). Shields at lower edge of the loft's front panels represent trades eg fleshmen, bakers.     

Merchants' loft : clicking door half-way up stairs had sneck - man was appointed to prevent children rattling it during services and throwing stones into doorway; John Welch statue (on loan) - minister 1600-02; merchants sat here on Sundays and met here on Mondays as Town Council (present loft has been extended and rake increased) - table was for tall hats to be deposited on way to pew. Front pew is still reserved for Council for their annual Kirkin' and on Remembrance Sunday.     

Looking into Chancel Area    

• The wooden ceiling replaced the hessian one after the church was built. The roof space above, with huge beams, was shaped without modern tools but using adze, oak nails, and slates secured by wooden pegs. It is accessible from the Merchants' loft;
  
• The organ loft was originally behind pulpit. The full pipe organ (not electronic, though controlled electrically) - for more information see Auld Kirk of Ayr Organ.pdf;

• The militia flags are those of local regiments (Ayrshire Yeomanry, Royal Scots Fusiliers) - see brass plates for descriptions - also large cross with circle, from France, on right as face Trades' loft.

Downstairs

Pulpit : has canopy, which acts as sounding-board (necessary before microphones), and lower pulpit for Reader (was rescued from contractor's yard). The pulpit was restored in 1952 and became the church's Second World War Memorial.

Pulpit wall : 'Obiit' Board - records bequests to help poor of the town; "Amamanite" memorial, weeping over lost ashes of husband; cross above pulpit donated by Women's Guild.

Communion table (dedicated at Tercentenary in 1954) contains panels from old Church of St John (see brass plaque).