Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum - LMCM

Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum - LMCM With a church history dating back to 1116, these revered Grade-B listed heritage structures have stood for over 125 years on the High Street in Lockerbie.

The Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum, (Lockerbiemcm.org) has acquired the landmark Dryfesdale & Trinity Church and Sessions House buildings which contain an exceptional World War I and World War II Memorial Shrine Chapel, six registered Imperial War Museum memorials, and over a dozen other commemorative memorials. Having been closed for several years due to health and safety concerns caused by dis

repair and significant water ingress, it is only right that these iconic structures be restored, repaired, upgraded, and repurposed to create a self-sustaining, reverential place of pilgrimage with cultural and educational opportunity. At the heart of the town, the museum will provide substantial benefits to visitors and the community alike. In the interim, with the support of the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation (PA103LL.org), we have stabilised the building’s fabric with the installation of massive roof tarpaulins to mitigate water ingress through the flat lead roofs and spires. In tandem, interior balcony ceiling and ground floor bracing has been installed, to prevent further collapse, requiring particular attention and investment. THE REMEMBRANCE HOUSE

The Remembrance House, formerly the church sessions house, has been repurposed to educate and commemorate the 270 innocent victims murdered by the bombing of Pan American flight 103 on 21 December 1988. This remains the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history and against the US until the attacks of 11 September 2001. Killed were 243 passengers and 16 flight crew in the air and 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground, representing a true cross-section of humanity. Their ages ranged from 2 months to 82 years. The victims came from 21 nations, including 190 U.S. citizens and 43 U.K. citizens, spanning the spectrum of ethnicities, socioeconomic sectors, and faith traditions. Within the newly opened Remembrance House are three exhibitions. The LIVING MEMORIAL exhibition is a dynamic, interactive website containing the most comprehensive collection of colour photographs and biographies putting faces and stories to honour each of the 270 innocent victims. Each victim has a multimedia biographical page. We invite visitors to explore victims’ story pages and upload tokens of memory, tributes, messages, photos, audio and videos. The LEGACY STORY LIBRARY exhibition, also available online, allows visitors to hear first-hand accounts from local survivors, 1st responders and volunteers impacted by this attack. There are stories of sacrifice, loss, resilience, advocacy, generosity, and hope that together create our combined history and legacy. Visitors can sign up to tell their unique story about how 21 December 1988 touched your life. WALL OF HONOUR exhibition recognizes the historic actions of thousands of first responders and volunteers from 110+ organisations, following the bombing of Pan American flight 103. Their tireless, commitment and selfless humanity during the unprecedented recovery operations in the weeks and months afterwards, as well as the ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutions, remain an inspiration to us all. THE CHURCH BUILDING

The church building remains closed to visitors and will reopen in phases as it is undergoing thorough structural and systems assessments of the damage caused by a lack of maintenance and repair over many years. Utilizing local conservation architects Douglas Bodell and Andrew Clark of Robert Potter & Partners, we will repair, restore, and repurpose the two historic Grade-B listed buildings, including upgrading and adding modern sustainable systems to bring the entire site into compliance for electrical, mechanical, water, drainage, fire detection, alarm systems and up to disability standards, including wheelchair, access, ramps, lifts, and toilets. Once these remedial works are complete, we will begin a phased transformation of the building interior. The entire south Sanctuary area adjacent to the existing Memorial Shrine Chapel will be transformed into a dedicated Memorial Gallery to exhibit the commemorative memorials within the building. In addition, a living memorial to the 270 people killed in the deadliest terrorist attack in U.K. history on 21 December 1988, with the bombing of Pan American flight 103 over Lockerbie, will be created. The Memorial Gallery will serve as a place of remembrance, ensuring that the stories of those who lost their lives are never forgotten. The nave, organ, central and north sanctuary areas will be refurbished for interactive learning programmes and any appropriate cultural events, commemorative, spiritual and celebratory services required by the community. The north sanctuary will also contain an area for a small library of primary source documents with access to multinational primary source digital archives. The entire upper floor balcony areas will be repurposed into three interactive exhibition spaces. The LOCKERBIE HERITAGE GALLERY exhibition space will advance Lockerbie’s rich local heritage, history, culture, and traditions. This gallery will feature artifacts and exhibitions on Lockerbie’s pre-history and archaeology, including Neolithic excavations, Bronze Age cemeteries, Roman encampments and Viking fortresses. These exhibitions will highlight Lockerbie’s 6,000-year history and connect its historical significance to contemporary society. By showcasing these diverse periods of history, the SCIO aims to foster a sense of pride and connection among visitors, helping them appreciate the depth and breadth of Lockerbie’s heritage. This exhibition will include modern and recent local history, providing a comprehensive overview of Lockerbie’s evolution over the centuries. Through engaging and educational multimedia displays, visitors will be able to explore the town’s development, its cultural milestones, and the stories of its people. This holistic approach to presenting Lockerbie’s history will ensure that visitors leave with a well-rounded understanding of the town’s past and its relevance to the present day. The A MOMENT IN HISTORY GALLERY will consist of numerous 21 December 1988 related exhibitions. The ATTACK EXHIBITION will feature an interactive timeline to teach about the events surrounding the terrorist bombing of Pan American flight 103 and its aftermath. The bombing created the largest crime scene in history at over 845 square miles. The JUSTICE & ACCOUNTABILITY EXHIBITION will tell the story of the largest ever global criminal investigation, which has spanned 37 years and remains an active international enquiry with the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal, Police Scotland and the ongoing Criminal Court proceedings in U.S. courts in Washington, DC. Through these exhibitions, visitors will gain a comprehensive understanding of the event, its aftermath, and its profound and lasting impact on the local community, the families of the victims, and the world at large. The LEGACY STORY GALLERY will tell the extraordinary and inspirational stories of all impacted by the attack. The EXHIBITION “LOCKERBIE—THE TOWN THAT TAUGHT THE WORLD A LESSON IN HUMANITY” will focus on the townspeople of Lockerbie and acknowledge their incredible compassion and generosity. The WALL OF HONOUR EXHIBITION will pay homage to the thousands of first responders and volunteers whose heroic actions during the unprecedented recovery operations remain an inspiration. Included will be first-hand accounts of ordinary people united by tragedy which will provide impactful visitor learning experiences through inspiring true stories of hope, loss, sacrifice, resilience and advocacy. By sharing these powerful narratives, the SCIO aims to honour the strength and solidarity of the Lockerbie community. Ultimately, we will create multipurpose spaces for commemoration, worship, contemplation and education to help foster a sense of community, provide spiritual support and visitor engagement. The integration of these activities within this historic setting is significant as it reflects the importance of faith, humanity and community in the healing process for those affected by the terrorist attack on 21 December 1988 and terrorism in general. Should you require any further information about this project, please contact [email protected]

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Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum, SC054480

New week, new tour date available! We're delighted to confirm that our Community Historian, Trudt, will be running anot...
08/06/2026

New week, new tour date available!

We're delighted to confirm that our Community Historian, Trudt, will be running another of his very popular guided tours this Thursday (11 June) at 2.00 PM.

Come and join us for a fascinating look behind the scenes and stay for refreshments afterwards. Many people have been captivated by George's tours, most recently Ukraine's Consul General in Edinburgh.

To secure your place, please e-mail George at [email protected]

37 years ago, on 07 June 1989, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Henry Catto, visited Lockerbie...
07/06/2026

37 years ago, on 07 June 1989, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Henry Catto, visited Lockerbie.

Ambassador Catto, whose great-grandfather hailed from a village near Fraserburgh, was provided with an update on the Pan Am flight 103 investigation by Chief Constable George Esson of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and Chief Superintendent John Orr of Strathclyde Police, the Senior Investigating Officer. He went on to meet the women of Lockerbie who cleaned victim's clothes and belongings.

During a wreath laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance in Dryfesdale Cemetery, Ambassador Catto was confronted by Wendy Giebler, who lost her husband William David Giebler Jr in the bombing. Widowed after only seven months of marriage, she criticised the lack of official support provided by the U.S. Government to the families and stated the desire of many relatives to have a similar memorial created in the U.S.

On the day when the world marks the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, we highlight a story of the Seco...
06/06/2026

On the day when the world marks the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, we highlight a story of the Second World War with it's roots in Dumfries and Galloway.

129 years ago today, on 06 June 1897, Jane Haining was born at Lochenhead Farm in Dunscore, eight miles north-west of Dumfries. She was the fifth child of a farmer, and brought up in a deeply religious home as a member of the evangelical Craig church in Dunscore.

In 1909 she won a scholarship to Dumfries Academy and then attended the commercial college of Glasgow's Athenaeum, before working for 10 years as a secretary at J & P Coates, Cotton Manufacturers, in Paisley. Outside work, her life focused on her local church, Queen's Park West United Free Church in Pollokshields.

A talk given at her church in Pollokshields about missionary work among Jewish communities in eastern Europe led Jane to volunteer. In 1932, she became matron of the girls' home at the Jewish Mission School in Budapest, Hungary, whose pupils were mainly Jewish. Jane was on holiday in Cornwall at the outbreak of the Second World War and immediately returned to Budapest to be with the girls in her care. She was ordered to return to Scotland in 1940, but refused, instead carrying on her work in Budapest. She again refused to leave the country after the German invasion of Hungary in March 1944.

Jane Haining was arrested by the Gestapo in April 1944 and accused of working among Jews and listening to the BBC, charges she freely admitted. The following month she arrived at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp and was tattooed as prisoner 79467. She died on 17 July 1944, possibly in a gas chamber, one of ten Scots killed in the death camps.

Jane Haining is remembered by two stained glass windows in Queen's Park Church, Glasgow; by plaques in the Kirk of Dunscore and the Scottish mission in Budapest; and as the only Scot to be honoured at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem (the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority) as "Righteous Among the Nations".

A great big thank you to our dear friend Chris Nichols, who was a first responder at Lockerbie with the Royal Air Force....
05/06/2026

A great big thank you to our dear friend Chris Nichols, who was a first responder at Lockerbie with the Royal Air Force.

A regular visitor to the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum - LMCM, Chris recently popped in to give us these wonderful slates remembering Clipper Maid of the Seas and commemorating the events of 21 December 1988.

We remain indebted to Chris for his generous support of the LMCM and his involvement in the search and recovery operations following the bombing of Pan Am flight 103.

Today marks the birthday of passenger Patricia Mary Coyle.Born on 04 June, 1968 in New Haven, Conneticut, USA, one of th...
04/06/2026

Today marks the birthday of passenger Patricia Mary Coyle.

Born on 04 June, 1968 in New Haven, Conneticut, USA, one of three children including a twin sister, Patricia attended Sheehan High School, where her academic accomplishments and awards included Vice President (Class of 1986), Varsity Scholar, National Honor Society, Literacy Volunteer, German Club, Tennis Captain, Girls Football Captain, Class of 1983 Scholarship Award and the Daniel Sullivan Scholarship. She had been known as one of the "Fabulous 14", a group of varsity scholars who had achieved straight A averages throughout their high school careers.

Patricia was an education major at Boston College. In summer 1988, she had flown to Vienna, Austria, to study for a semester through Webster University with classmate Karen Elizabeth Noonan (20). There, she studied history and political science, which encouraged an interest in pursuing a law degree after graduation. She had also taken trips to other European destinations during that time, including a visit to Dublin in early December 1988 to watch the Boston College team play football.

On 20 December 1988, Patricia and Karen attended a party at the U.S. Marine Corps barracks at the U.S. Embassy Vienna. During the gathering, the two women fell into conversation with half a dozen other guests, including Patricia's boyfriend, Marine Sergeant Curt M. Olsen. The main topic was the call made to the U.S. Embassy Finland earlier that month, threatening to bomb a Pan Am flight out of Frankfurt in the weeks before Christmas, which had become known as the "Helsinki Warning". When Patricia asked Olsen whether the threat was credible, he had dismissed it.

On 21 December 1988, Patricia was returning from her semester abroad with Karen Noonan. Months earlier, they had booked tickets on Pan Am flight 39, a direct flight from Vienna to New York. However, during their time in Austria, Pan Am changed its schedules. This meant that Pan Am flight 39 wouldn't leave until 22 December 1988. Rather than wait the extra day, the two women caught Lufthansa flight 1453 to Frankfurt, where they transferred onto Pan Am flight 103A to London and boarded Pan Am flight 103 at Heathrow Airport. Allocated seat 20B in Economy Class, Patricia was looking forward to being reunited with her family for Christmas in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Patricia was recovered from Sector D (Tundergarth), on Christmas Eve 1988. Officers from Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary and Central Scotland Police, supported by other first responders, were involved in her recovery and in returning her to her family.

Patricia was 20 years old when she was murdered. The LMCM is honoured to remember her.

37 years ago today, the people of Lockerbie celebrated 'Ed's Party'.Ed Blaus, a 14 year old from Sicklerville, New Jerse...
03/06/2026

37 years ago today, the people of Lockerbie celebrated 'Ed's Party'.

Ed Blaus, a 14 year old from Sicklerville, New Jersey, had read about the 21 December 1988 bombing and also heard details from a pen pal in Lockerbie, David Stewart. He felt that the town's residents, particularly it's children, deserved to have a day where they could enjoy themselves. Originally intending to organise a delivery of presents to the town, Ed wrote to Pan Am's chairman, Thomas Plaskett, asking the company to try and secure sponsorship for a summer event. At the time, Ed commented: "I just want all the kids to come here and enjoy themselves today, because they missed Christmas and everyone should have Christmas".

Several major corporations were originally involved. However, when some relatives of the Pan Am flight 103 victims criticised the event as being in poor taste and picketed Pan Am headquarters in New York, support was withdrawn by organisations including Disney and Marriott Hotels.

Ultimately, the party was still able to go ahead, largely due to the hard work of the local community, social workers and volunteers. Response was enthusiastic, with families and groups of children heading toward the town's football fields as early as 09.00 AM for a day of hamburgers, hot dogs, bagpipes and rock bands in the sun. All wore red 'Ed's Party' badges to distinguish townspeople from reporters.

Alex McElroy, chairman of the local Community Support agency, was quoted as saying: "Given the circumstances of this town, the party is unusual, but it is being supported by the vast majority of the local people, not to cause distress or anguish but to prove to themselves and the world that whereas we mourn those who died, they are determined to repair their town, rebuild shattered lives and ensure a special and sacred place in their hearts for 270 people...this is their town and their party".

On Saturday 30 May, the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum - LMCM was honoured to be involved in a visit to the Dumfries a...
03/06/2026

On Saturday 30 May, the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum - LMCM was honoured to be involved in a visit to the Dumfries and Galloway region by His Excellency Andrii Madzianovskyi, Consul of the Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh Консульство України в Единбурзі.

Our Founder and CEO, Victoria Cummock, and Trustee Vicky Jardine-Paterson joined the Consul's visit to the charming and iconic Ukrainian POW Chapel Lockerbie. After touring the site and meeting members of the local community, they enjoyed a traditional Ukrainian lunch of bortsch and pampushky, before travelling to the LMCM. Victoria introduced our guests to the museum exhibitions and the history connected to the deadliest terrorist attack in the UK on Pan Am Flight 103.

Afterwards, Victoria accompanied the group to pay their respects at the Dryfesdale Cemetery Memorial Garden. As the Consul laid a wreath, Ukrainian priest Father Taras Boychuk said prayers in memory of the 270 victims.

"Our visit to the memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the Lockerbie tragedy left a profound impression on me. As a representative of Ukraine, a nation that has itself experienced immense human suffering and tragic loss, I was deeply moved by the care, dignity and compassion with which the memory of the victims has been preserved. It was a privilege to hear your reflections and to learn more about the history of Lockerbie and the enduring legacy of those who have worked to preserve the memory of the victims. I left our meeting with profound respect for you and for all those who have contributed to this important work. Please accept my deepest respect and gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do".

Selected remarks by Andrii Madzianovskyi on his visit to the LMCM.

Photos: Bryan Armstrong

Today marks the birthday of passenger Daniel Peter Rosenthal.Born on 02 June, 1968 in Staten Island, New York, USA, Dani...
02/06/2026

Today marks the birthday of passenger Daniel Peter Rosenthal.

Born on 02 June, 1968 in Staten Island, New York, USA, Daniel was an education and history student at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

In summer 1988, Daniel flew to the UK to spend a semester as a teaching assistant at St Nicolas CE Primary School in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. He very much enjoyed working with young children and had a gift for communicating with them. Many of the children who spent time with him, now grown up, remember him as a kind and patient young man who taught them baseball. One of the last things that Daniel did before the school broke up for Christmas was to help the children with their nativity play.

On 21 December 1988, Daniel was returning from Oxfordshire to New York when he boarded Pan Am flight 103 at Heathrow Airport. Allocated seat 21J in Economy Class, he was looking forward to being reunited with his family.

Daniel was recovered from Sector D (Tundergarth) on Christmas Eve 1988. Officers from Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary and Lothian & Borders Police were involved in his recovery and in returning him to his family.

Daniel was 20 years old when he was murdered. The LMCM is honoured to remember him.

Today marks the birthday of passenger Martha Owens. Born on 02 June, 1944 in Hanover, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA...
02/06/2026

Today marks the birthday of passenger Martha Owens.

Born on 02 June, 1944 in Hanover, Grafton County, New Hampshire, USA, Martha was a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachussetts. She spent part of her junior year at the Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Colombia.

Martha married her husband Robert (45) in September 1966 at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, Hanover. The couple had two daughters, Sara (14) and Laura (8).

Martha and her family resided in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She and Robert worked for Piper Aircraft, Inc. in Lockhaven, Pennsylvania for several years before relocating to New Jersey. They both held private pilots licenses and owned a share of a small plane.

On 21 December 1988, Martha was returning from London with Robert, Sara and Laura when she boarded Pan Am flight 103 at Heathrow Airport. Allocated seat 35H in Economy Class, she was looking forward to being home for Christmas.

Martha was recovered from Sector B (Rosebank Crescent / Park Place), in the rear fuselage wreckage adjacent to 71 Park Place, on Christmas Eve 1988. Officers from Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary and Strathclyde Police, supported by other first responders, were involved in her recovery and in returning her to her family.

Martha was 44 years old when she was murdered. The LMCM is honoured to remember her.

Today marks the birthday of passenger Elyse Jeanne Saraceni. Born on 01 June 1968 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Elyse gra...
01/06/2026

Today marks the birthday of passenger Elyse Jeanne Saraceni.

Born on 01 June 1968 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Elyse graduated from Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School in 1986 and was awarded the Gabriel Burda music scholarship when she entered Seton Hill University as a piano performance major. Her musical studies included 13 years of piano as well as guitar, voice, and baritone horn. At Seton Hill, she served as an accompanist for liturgies, recitals, and various choral groups.

Elyse was multi-talented and won many awards. In 1985, she was accepted into a special program at Bucknell University, where she studied etching. One of her works from that program was selected to hang in a year long exhibit in the office of the governor of Pennsylvania. Also interested in theater, Elyse served in backstage and design capacities for several high school productions and appeared at Apple Hill's Johnny Appleseed Theatre and Seton Hill College Theatre.

Elyse's summer job in 1986 was as an accompanist for Conley's Motor Inn Show. The next summer, she was music director at a camp in Maine. For the summer of 1988, she was an apprentice for the Civic Light Orchestra of Pittsburgh. As a result of her work there, the Civic Light Opera Guild awarded her a scholarship in November 1988.

Elyse was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church of Forbes Road, the Seton Hill College Concert Choir, the Westmoreland County Choral Society and the Moonlight Riders 4H Club.

In summer 1988, Elyse flew to London to study piano performance and composition at the Royal Academy of Music. While in London, she composed both choral and instrumental works and participated in recitals and ensembles. Among her compositions was a piece written about parting from friends, titled 'Sweet Sorrow.' Elyse travelled to Scotland, Wales, France, and Austria during her time abroad.

On 21 December 1988, Elyse was returning from her four months of study in London when she boarded Pan Am flight 103 at Heathrow Airport. Allocated seat 36D in Economy Class, she was looking forward to being reunited with her parents and her brother for Christmas in Salem Township, Pennsylvania.

Elyse was recovered from Sector B (Rosebank Crescent / Park Place), in the rear fuselage wreckage adjacent to 71 Park Place, on 23 December 1988. Officers from Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary and Strathclyde Police, supported by other first responders, were involved in her recovery and in returning her to her family.

Elyse was 20 years old when she was murdered. The LMCM is honoured to remember her.

Address

High Street
Lockerbie
DG112AF

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Website

https://www.LockerbieMCM.org/

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