09/08/2026
‘Heritage Works’ at All Saints’ Challoch, celebrating the church’s architectural, spiritual, creative, and community heritage as part of the Dumfries & Galloway 2026 ‘Doors Open Days’ initiative
Saturday 5 September 10-4pm
Special Guest: Louisa Ruthven, celebrated Galloway visual artist working in textiles and stitch
One of Dumfries and Galloway’s finest examples of a small Victorian house of worship, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Challoch, is delighted to announce that celebrated Bladnoch-based visual artist, Louisa Ruthven, will headline the 2026 All Saints’ Challoch ‘Doors Open Day’ – titled ‘Heritage Works’ – from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, 5 September.
A member of the prestigious Scottish Textile Artists Group ‘EDGE’, Louisa is an artist who works in textiles and stitch. Her art practice is nature-led, telling stories of the land. She has a special interest in natural dying and printing, using foraged plants and flowers.
Louisa will come to Challoch hot-foot from exhibiting at the Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright with the Wigtownshire Artists and Makers Group. At the All Saints’ event, she will work on a picture throughout the day, demonstrating her skills and techniques while answering visitors’ questions. Examples of Louisa’s work will be on display and available for sale.
“I am delighted to be part of the All Saints’ ‘Doors Open Day’,” Louisa said. “There is such a rich heritage of artists living and working in Galloway, drawing inspiration from the land, the light, and the people. I am glad to say this heritage continues to flourish with so many wonderful artists and creatives actively at work in the region.”
Other highlights of the All Saints’ 5 September event include:
Demonstrations of weaving and spinning by members of the Wigtownshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers, and Dyers (including members of All Saints’ congregation, Philip Colville and Penny Stewart).
Locally-made craft items on display for sale, including woodwork produced by Paul Ewan, a member of the All Saints’ congregation
The opportunity to view the treasures of All Saints’, including its stained-glass windows by world-renowned Victorian designer and manufacturer Charles Eamer Kempe, its hand-painted ceiling, and an historic cemetery that includes the graves of family members of the Earls of Galloway, and Commonwealth War Graves from both World Wars
The chance to meet our Priest-in-Charge the Reverend Canon Stuart Bain and members of our All Saints’ community
Home-made cakes, scones, soup and rolls, and teas and coffees will be available throughout the day
4pm: Service of Evensong led by the Reverend Canon Stuart Bain
"Here at All Saints we have been gifted a real gem of a church building,” said Stuart. “Yes, it is a heritage building but not an ancient monument. For us, ‘heritage works’! We gather to rejoice in the creativity of others, we share and build community together. People do matter and of course we celebrate the faith that binds us together. Jacob said it well in the Old Testament, in Genesis, chapter 28, verse 17: ‘This is none other than the house of God. This is none other than the gate of heaven’!"
All Saints’ Episcopal Church was designed by architects W.G. Habershon & Pite of London. It was built in 1871-72 as a private chapel for the owner of nearby Penninghame House, Edward James Stopford-Blair. On his death in 1885, he bequeathed the church and then-rectory to the Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway, creating today’s All Saints Church.
The Challoch event is part of the larger ‘Doors Open Days’ initiative across Scotland, coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church (DG8 6RB), Challoch, is situated on the A714 Girvan Road, two miles north of Newton Stewart.
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Biography of Louisa Ruthven
Louisa Ruthven was brought up in Ayrshire. After training as an actor in Edinburgh, she moved to London and for several years worked as an actor, before studying for a degree in theatre costume at Wimbledon School of Art. She went on to make costumes for stage, dance and film, specialising in tutu making. She eventually set up her own studio in Great Bardfield, Essex, a once famous artists’ village and rich in inspiration. Recently, her evolving art practice brought her home again to Scotland where she now lives, quite by chance, in the cottage in Bladnoch where her great, great, great grandparents and family once lived. The fact she shares the same soil as her forebears to grow both food to eat, and dye plants for her art, carries deep significance for her.
Louisa has recently exhibited at the Harbour Cottage Gallery, Kirkcudbright with the Wigtownshire Artists and Makers Group. Previous recent exhibitions include: ‘Returning’ for the Caerlaverock Wildlife and Wetland Trust; ‘Common Ground’ with Visual Arts Scotland; ‘Ancient Landscapes’ at the Frontier Gallery, Sheffield; and ‘Multiculturalba’ at the Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow.
Recently, Louisa was delighted to have had images of two of her artworks selected to appear in the 2027 Earth Pathways Diary, a publication that “celebrates the work of artists who share a deep love for the land and a desire to live with appreciation and responsibility for this beautiful planet”.
Notes to Editors:
All Saints Church (DG8 6RB), with its surrounding views over the Galloway Hills, is near Newton Stewart. It is one of Dumfries and Galloway’s finest examples of a small Victorian church. Originally built as a private chapel for Edward James Stopford-Blair of Penninghame House in 1871-72, this now-Grade A listed building was designed by architects W.G. Habershon & Pite of London. Upon his death in 1885, Stopford-Blair bequeathed the church and rectory to the Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway.
The Scottish Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which includes the Episcopal Churches of England, Ireland and Wales.
For further Information:
Julian Demetriadi
Press Officer, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Challoch
Tel: 07585 505309
Email: [email protected]
