There has been a place of worship on this site stretching back into the mists of time when early
Celtic Saints brought the Gospel into this part of Clydesdale. The first stone built church, dedicated to St
Nicholas, is recorded as being in existence as early as the 12th Century and, in the vestibule of this
building, hangs a list of ministers from Pastor Robert of Bigir in 1164, down to our most recent minister,
the Rev Michael (Mike) Fucella who joined our congregation in August 2013.
The church building you see today dates from 1545-6 when the church was rebuilt by Malcolm, Lord
Fleming, following an incident in Tweeddale when his father John, Lord Fleming of Boghall Castle in Biggar,
was slain by the Tweedie family while out hunting. The purpose of the new church was to offer prayers for
the "weal of the soul" of the founder, his wife, Janet Stewart (daughter of James IV), his parents, forebears
and successors in the years to come. To this end a provost, eight prebenderies, four singing boys and six
bedesmen were appointed to serve in the new church of St Mary's in Biggar. It was to be the last Collegiate
Foundation to be built in Scotland before the Reformation.
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