Prestongrange Church

Image: © Eirian Evans Taken: 10 Sep 2021

One of Scotland's first post-Reformation kirks, largely paid for by the first minister, John Davidson, on land bequeathed by the Hamiltons of Prestongrange. There was a church at Preston, or Saltpriestoun (later Prestonpans) since the 12th century, but this was destroyed by the English Army in 1544. Coronation Gardens are situated between the church and the High Street where there is a memorial statue to Thomas Alexander, who was born in Prestonpans in May 1812. He was an Army surgeon and took part in many campaigns and became the Director General of the Medical Department of the British Army. His main goals were to see improvements to the conditions the soldiers had to live in, especially during the Crimean war. The memorial was erected in 1862.

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