Religion has played
an important part in the lives of Ayr’s inhabitants
throughout its history, particularly in the medieval
period where religion offered the hope of salvation
in an age of great uncertainty. The many places of
worship in Ayr today reflect the diversity of religious
faith within the Burgh throughout its 800 year history.
Early Church
In the early years of the Burgh the Parish Church and the two religious houses
of the Dominicans and the Franciscans dominated religious life. As with other
medieval burghs in Scotland, Ayr had a parish church at its core – the
Church of St. John the Baptist. The church enjoyed royal patronage and played
a central part in administering to the spiritual and physical needs of the Burgh,
including saying masses for the dead and helping the poor and being generally
responsible for social and moral welfare and education.
Poor Relief
The Church had responsibility for provision of poor relief and the Council licensed
beggars. The Church gave alms to the poor, infirm, widowed and orphaned with
money from collections, legacies, and fines.
Religious Houses
In 1230 the Order of Dominican Friars came to Ayr, followed by the Franciscan
Order in 1472. Both orders remained active in the Burgh until their dissolution
at the Reformation in 1560 and provided further spiritual and physical comfort
to the Burgh, particularly among Ayr’s poorer inhabitants. They were also
a focal point for commercial activities: the Dominicans owned mills on the River
Ayr and the Franciscan convent was often used as a place for safe storage of
business documents. As well as the Friars, other religious orders owned land
and property in the burgh including the abbeys of Melrose, Paisley, and the Knights
Templar.
The Kirk Session
The early protestant Kirk of Ayr was organised by ministers and a kirk session
of annually elected elders. For centuries the session was responsible for the
education of children, the care of the poor, observance of the Sabbath, and parishioners’ moral
and secular conduct. Today the duties of the kirk sessions are mostly concerned
with the life and work of the local congregations they serve.
William Adair
The Rev. William Adair came to Ayr in 1639 during a time of great political and
military upheaval. He was a major covenanting figure who fought at the battles
of Mauchline Moor and Dunbar. He was also the first minister to conduct a service
in the new church of the Auld Kirk in 1656 and was prominent in the religious
and secular affairs of the town, including the suppression of alleged witchcraft.
Modern Religion
The present day community of Ayr, like most communities
across the UK, includes citizens of other faiths who live
and/or work locally. Religions in our present community
include Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Sikhism.
In order to come together for cultural events, worship
and religious education, many travel to Glasgow or beyond.
The 2001 census indicates that many people choose not to
profess any religious faith at all.
