A heavily embroidered panel from a Galloway bride’s wedding dress, and the very first marriage entry for All Saints Challoch Church will be on display at the Doors Open event on 4 and 5th September this year.
The Church is inviting the public to this event promoted by the Scottish Civic Trust under the theme of ‘Then and Now’ on the first Saturday and Sunday in September.
The dress, dating from 1875, belonged to Lady Emily Octavia Stewart, daughter of the 9th Earl of Galloway, Randolph Stewart, who had close links with the church. The embroidery is of the standard of work by the Royal College of Needlework and the motifs may have been bought ready- made to sew on to the frontal. The fragile silk has been backed and conserved for future years.
The very first wedding which took place at All Saints was between Alexander Dunlop and Charlotte Cooper on 4th February 1873. The church has records of marriages, baptisms and funerals, and the cemetery layout featuring graves of the Earls of Galloway, as well as Commonwealth War Graves for local heroes from both World Wars.
The church will be lavishly decorated with floral displays fit for a Galloway wedding, as well as displays of wedding dresses through the ages in line with the theme and a ‘spot the bride’ competition. A solo violin performance on Saturday by Catherine Demetriadi will feature traditional, Scottish and classical music between 1-1.45pm. In addition visitors will be able to see a display of church vestments, known as chasuables, while children can enjoy a treasure-hunt type quiz. Refreshments will be served in a vintage tea party style in the church grounds.
Gerry Ewan, Chair of All Saints Vestry said: “We are really looking forward to taking part in the Doors Open Event and hope that the displays we are organising to celebrate the history of our beautiful church will encourage visitors to come and either renew their acquaintance, or see it for the first time.”
The church will be open on Saturday 4th from 11am-4pm and Sunday from 12 noon (following normal Sunday Service at 10.30am) to 3.30pm. There is free car parking, disabled access and a toilet.
Further information is available on the Doors Open website here: https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/places/dumfries-and-galloway/all-saints-episcopal-church-challoch/
