St Michael’s Kirk, Inveresk, has been closed temporarily due to concerns over its ceiling.

Sunday services are currently being held in the church hall in Dalrymple Loan, Musselburgh.

A spokesman for the Church of Scotland said: “St Michael’s Church, Inveresk, in Musselburgh is closed temporarily after concerns were raised about the condition of part of the ceiling.

“The Kirk Session made the decision on health and safety grounds and specialists are currently assessing the situation with a view to carry out necessary repairs.

“The congregation is currently holding Sunday services in the church hall and it is hoped that the church building will reopen as soon as possible.”

Refurbishment work has been carried out in recent years on St Michael’s, which is known as the ‘Visible Kirk’ due to its prominent position.

In 2017, funding was received to carry out conservation work to the church roof and masonry, including stone indenting, replacement and repair, rainwater goods and stained glass, together with other window and door repairs.

In 2021, a specialist team completed an inspection of the lightning conductors and steeple, removing vegetation and also carrying out work on an opening where coverings had fallen inwards. A cockerel weathervane was refurbished under a previous contract.

St Michael’s had last week been due to host the traditional Kirkin’ service as part of Musselburgh Festival Week but the event was switched to the town’s Northesk Parish Church.

There has been a church on the site at Inveresk since the 6th century.

The present church was built in 1805 to the design of Robert Nisbet and the steeple is recorded as being by the architect William Sibbald, following his earlier design for that at St Andrew’s, George Street, Edinburgh, in 1894.

In 2005, St Michael’s celebrated the 200th anniversary of the present building, which is listed ‘Category A’, meaning it is of special architectural or historical interest and is an outstanding example of a particular period, style or building type.