Corstorphine Old Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corstorphine Old Parish Church |
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| Corstorphine Parish Church | |
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| 55°56′29″N 3°16′55″W / 55.94139°N 3.28194°W | |
| Location | Dower House, Corstorphine High Street, Corstorphine |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St John's Collegiate Church |
| Founded | 15th century |
| Founder(s) | Sir Adam Forrester and Sir John Forrester |
| Dedication | John the Baptist |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Historic Environment Scotland |
| Designated | 14 December 1970 |
| Architect(s) |
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| Architectural type | Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Number of floors | One |
| Number of spires | One |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Edinburgh |
| Presbytery | Edinburgh |
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Corstorphine Old Parish Church, also known as St. John's Collegiate Church, is a historic church located in the old part of Corstorphine. This area is now a village within the western side of Edinburgh, Scotland. The church was built in the 15th century on the site of an even older chapel from the 12th century. Because of its historical importance, Historic Scotland officially recognized it as a top-tier heritage building on December 14, 1970.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's History
Early Beginnings
The story of Corstorphine Old Parish Church goes way back. In 1128, King David I gave the small chapel in Corstorphine to Holyrood Abbey. Before this, it was a smaller chapel connected to St Cuthbert's Church. By 1158, it had grown into a proper church with special altars dedicated to Saint Anne and the Holy Trinity.
From Chapel to Collegiate Church
A special burial chapel was added to the church in 1404. This was built by Sir Adam Forrester, who was an important official for Queen Anabella Drummond. He passed away around 1405. The church was then dedicated to John the Baptist.
Later, in 1429, Sir Adam's son, Sir John Forrester, made the church even more important. He changed it into a collegiate church. This meant it had a group of clergy (church leaders) living and working there, not just one priest.
Building the Current Church
The current church building started construction in 1429. It was built in the same churchyard as the older parish church and was finished by 1437. This new church was made of sandstone. It featured a tall tower with an eight-sided stone spire, a rectangular chancel (the area near the altar), and a nave (the main seating area) with transepts (parts that stick out like the arms of a cross).
The builders also included some older Gothic designs from the previous building. They added unique curved ceilings called barrel vaults, which were likely completed by 1436.
Changes Over Time
In 1548, Thomas Marjoribanks became the vicar (a type of priest) of Corstorphine Kirk. He continued in this role even through the Reformation in Scotland, a big change in the church, until 1567. In 1599, the nearby area of Gogar was added to the church's parish.
By 1634, the collegiate church system was ended. In 1646, the building officially became the local parish church. The old 12th-century church was taken down, and a new section was added to the collegiate building. Stones from the older church were even used to build the porch.
In 1828, a famous architect named William Burn helped restore the church. During this work, a two-story sacristy (a room for church items) was added. The main seating area (nave) was also updated, and a new section and transept were built.
The original roofs that survived are only in the east choir and the sacristy next to it. The ceilings of the nave and aisle were rebuilt with precast concrete panels during a restoration between 1903 and 1905. This work was done by architect George Henderson.
Special Features and Art
The church holds many interesting historical items. It has Scottish heraldic panels, which are like coats of arms, and relics from before the Reformation in Scotland. The beautiful Victorian stained glass windows were made by James Ballantine. Later, in the 20th century, Gordon Webster and Nathaniel Bryson added more windows.
The carved stone supports, called corbels, were made by William Birnie Rhind. Their designs were inspired by the heads in Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, Last Supper. Outside the church, you can find a war memorial, a vault, and a gatehouse, all surrounded by a stone wall and iron gates.
A very old stone font, used for baptisms, was moved to the church's south transept in 1955. It originally came from Gogar church. In 1913, a smaller church, called a chapel of ease, was built nearby. This was St Anne's on St John's Road, designed by Peter MacGregor Chalmers.
Stained Glass Windows
The church is home to several stunning stained glass windows. Some were created by the Bannantine Brothers, two by Nythaniel Bryson, and one by Douglas Strachan.
One window is especially notable. It is a memorial to the mother (Jessie Chrystal Finlayson) and father (John Macmillan) of Jessie Chrystal Macmillan. She was a famous campaigner for women's rights. Interestingly, Jessie Chrystal Macmillan shared the same name as her mother and never married.
Images for kids
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Corstorphine Old Parish Church from the outside.
