The only parish church built during the Commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell, uniquely designed to suit his new Puritan era. Moving towards Scotland to siege Dunbar and Edinburgh, Cromwell camped outside of Berwick and noticed the townsfolk building a new Church alongside the 12th Century original. He influenced the change in the plan originally agreed with King Charles I. The foundation stone was laid in 1650 as George Fenwick, then Governor of Berwick, gave, together with his father in law, five companies each of men for Cromwell's new model Army. Named Monck's Regiment of Foot after their commander, at The Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 they became The Coldstream Guards. The new church was completed in 1652. It was built without bells, spires, stained glass, statues or fixed altar and sanctuary and had box pews and the pulpit set in the centre. It has been regularised over the years and now has magnificent stained glass including 16th Century Flemish roundels but overall retains its original character. Two other churches were built during Cromwell's reign of power but both in a traditional style - and against his wishes. He would have preferred that the money was spent on supplying him with more soldiers! The church is set in The Parade opposite the equally unique Georgian Barracks, all contained within the Elizabethan walls
