There was a Romanesque church at Hassendean dedicated to St Kentigern, the vestiges of which were drawn by Archibald Rutherford in 1776. The church was suppressed in 1690 and part of the church pulled down following this. Rutherford’s drawing showed it as primarily Romanesque in construction, with two chancel arches. These ruins, along with the churchyard were, however, destroyed by a major flood in 1796. The site of the church is thought now to be about the middle of the river or near the opposite bank. Built into the river bank wall are stones believed to have been reused from the church.

The land of Hassendean seems to have been granted to the bishop of Glasgow by David I. Following a controversy between William the Lion and Jocelin, bishop of Glasgow, the pope confirmed in 1170 that that the patronage of the church was still that of the bishop of Glasgow. But in 1193 the bishop, with the consent of the king, gave the patronage to Melrose Abbey for the purpose of building and maintaining a house at Hassendean for the reception and entertainment of pilgrims and the poor. This was confirmed by Pope Celestine III (1191-98). Later, Alexander II (1214-1249) re-confirmed the church at Hassendean to the monks of Melrose and Pope Honorius III (1216-1227) did the same. In 1356, Edward III conferred the land of Hassendean on Percy, but in 1376, King Robert Bruce granted the territory to James Cunningham.

The roll moulding appears to have a slight curve, which suggests it may have been originally a voussoir of an arch. Rutherford's drawing shows chevron on the W chancel arch. Although there is some question as to the accuracy of certain detailing, there is a strong suggestion that the church was of 12thc construction.