result of the building being destroyed in 1307, its tower's collapse in the 16th century, and general disrepair that occurred as the result of time and weather. Notably, during a restoration project that took place in the 1990s, a stonemason from Edinburgh hired to replace twelve crumbling stone gargoyles erected one bearing a strong resemblance to the space creature from the 1979 science fiction film Alien, starring Sigourney Weaver. A picture of the gargoyle went viral in 2013, though a photograph of the statue first surfaced on the internet in 1997. In 2002, it was confirmed the abbey would be subject to a 10-year-long restoration project. Current congregation Paisley Abbey is used for worship services every Sunday. Since the Reformation the Abbey has served as a parish church in the Church of Scotland. In 2002 the congregation had 823 members. The minister (since December 2022) is the Reverend Jim Gibson. Burials Isabella of Mar (c.1277–1296) Marjorie Bruce Robert III of Scotland (1337–1406) William Cathcart, 1st Earl Cathcart (1755–1843) Walter fitz Alan, 1st High Stewart of Scotland (1106 – June 1177) Alan fitz Walter, 2nd High Steward of Scotland Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland James Stewart, 5th High Steward of Scotland Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland Elizabeth Mure (died before May 1355) James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn Euphemia de Ross James Hamilton, 8th Earl of Abercorn See also Abbey Bridge Abbot of Paisley, for list of priors, abbots and commendators Crossraguel Abbey, founded by monks from Paisley List of Category A listed buildings in Renfrewshire List of listed buildings in Paisley, Renfrewshire References Sources Malden, John. (Edr), (2000). The Monastery & Abbey of Paisley: Lectures from the Renfrewshire Local History Forum's Conference 11 / 12 September 1999, with additional papers. Renfrewshire: Renfrewshire Local History Forum. . External links Listed monasteries in Scotland Cluniac monasteries in Scotland Church of Scotland churches in Scotland Churches in Paisley, Renfrewshire Protestant churches converted from Roman Catholicism Listed churches in Scotland Category A listed buildings in Renfrewshire Burial sites of the House of Stuart Burial sites of the FitzAlan family Burial sites of the House of Bruce Former Christian monasteries in Scotland