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A (very) brief history of Fenwick

8 August
  • Fenwick Parish Church graveyard. Photo by John Oliver.

Here are just a few historical dates:

1641 - Fenwick separated from Kilmarnock parish
1643 - Fenwick Kirk established
1644 - Rev. William Guthrie, celebrated Covenant preacher and author of "The Christian's Great Interest" ordained as minister
17th Century - Fenwick people resolute upholders of the Covenant
1707 - Fenwick granted its own market charter
1761 - Fenwick Weaver's Society formed, the world's first co-operative society
1769 - The Society formed a consumer co-operative for the benefit of members
1808 - Fenwick Library created
1839 - Fenwick Weaver's Society set up an Emigration Society
1873 - Fenwick Weaver's Society wound up
1929 - Kirk devastated by fire
1931 - Kirk rebuilt
1937 - 1st Fenwick Brownies officially registered
1955 - 35th Ayrshire (Fenwick) Scouts officially registered
1970s - Fenwick bypassed to the west by the A77
2002 - 35th Ayrshire (Fenwick) Scouts closed
2005 - M77 extended to Fenwick
2008 - 1st Fenwick Guides re-opened
March 2008 - Fenwick Weavers' Society reconvened
August 2009 - 35th Ayrshire (Fenwick) Scouts re-opened

Now it's your turn.

Above are just a few important dates - there's far more to the heritage of Fenwick. There's a lot of interest in local history, and lots and lots of local knowledge. And here's your chance to tell everyone about it. If you have an interest in the history of Fenwick - either in general or in specific points - then you can post it here. There must be many, many pictures of the village from throughout the 20th century - why not post them here, and ask other people what they remember?


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1 June | 6:47:13

Karen Moore says

Can anyone tell me if Fenwick church was built by Sir William Mure of Rowallan? And if it is his Arms above the doorway to Rowallan Loft? And did he die there at the churchyard as a martyr? Sorry to ask, I am seeking my uncertain ancestry and I think he may have been in my line. I hope to find out for certain someday. Thank you.
Blessings!
KM

27 June | 10:21:13

Colin McLachlan says

I'm sure that Fenwick was bypassed by the A77 in the 1930's. I certainly remember playing at the Stewarton Road bridge during the 1940's.

Colin McLachlan, Florida USA

4 July | 8:48:03

Colin McLachlan says

Here's a copy of the Kings Arms from way back. The Kings was used during, and for a short time after, WW2 as a billet for Land Army girls who worked on local farms.

5 March | 9:38:53

Nora Shanks says

You are right, Colin, the bypass was built in the 1930's, my late father-in-law remembered the local farmers helping the construction by taking away earth in horse and carts. My husband used to cross it to go to Fenwick Primary in the 1950's.
Nora Shanks

16 May | 10:46:25

Greta Roberts says

Re. improvements to the A77 near Fenwick, probably including the village being by-passed, I believe these roadworks were carried out as a wayof providing work for the unemployed during the Depression in the early1930s,

There will be some reference to such public works in the Kilmarnock Standard at the time. These have been indexed and are probably in the new Burns Archive Centre in Kay Park.

G. Roberts

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