Ednam Church facts for kids
Ednam Church is a special church that belongs to the Church of Scotland. It is connected with Kelso North Church in Kelso. Ednam is a small place in the Scottish Borders Council area. It's about 3 miles north-east of Kelso.
Contents
A Look Back at Ednam Church's History
The First Churches
The very first person known to own land in Ednam was called Thor Longus, which means 'Thor the Tall'. This was around the year 1105. Ednam was then known as Ednaham, meaning 'Settlement on the Eden Water'. This area is thought to be the first parish (a church's local area) in Scotland. It was part of King Edgar of Scotland's plan to let local people manage their own areas.
Over time, there have been at least three churches in Ednam. The first church was built in 1105. It was dedicated to St. Cuthbert. This church was so important that it was called 'the mother church of Hedenham'. This first church lasted until 1523. It was destroyed by English raiders. After that, a new church was built in its place.
St. Leonard's Hospital
There was also an early hospital and chapel called St. Leonard's in Ednam. It was started when William I of Scotland was king (1165–1214). William's mother, Ada de Warenne, gave the hospital to its leaders and people. Later, in 1392, King Robert III of Scotland gave it to his sister as a wedding gift. This hospital was also badly damaged by the English in 1542 and again in 1544. The field where it once stood is still called the Spital field today.
Newer Church Buildings
The church built in 1523 became very old and damaged by 1680. So, a new church was built in a slightly different spot. This church was used until 1820. Then, another new church was built. In 1902, this church was greatly improved and made bigger. These changes included adding a special area for the choir (called a chancel), a porch, and a room for the minister. The work was done by architects from Edinburgh called Hardy and Wight.
Inside Ednam Church, you can find a copy of the old document from 1105. This document shows that Thor Longus gave land to the monks of Durham.
Changes After the Reformation
The Scottish Reformation
In 1560, a big change happened in Scotland called the Scottish Reformation. During this time, the monks left the church, and the special church service called the mass was stopped. It took 39 years before Ednam had a full-time minister. For a while, services were led by people called 'Readers'.
In 1599, Rev. Thomas Porteous became the first Protestant minister at Ednam. Later, in 1617, John Clapperton took over. He preferred a church style that supported bishops, known as Episcopalian.
The Prayer Book and the Covenant
In 1637, Archbishop Laud and King Charles I of Scotland tried to make people in Scotland use a new prayer book called the Book of Common Prayer. Most Scottish people did not like this book at all.
In February 1638, many people in Scotland signed something called the National Covenant. This was a promise to follow their own church rules. Because of this, John Clapperton was removed from his job, and a Presbyterian minister, John Somerville, was chosen. However, King Charles I stepped in, and John Clapperton was put back in charge.
John Somerville returned to the church again in 1639. He preached at Ednam Kirk until 1660. That's when Charles II of Scotland brought back the disliked prayer book. Robert Young was then made the 'vicar of Ednam'. He stayed until 1668.
After Young, Adam Peacock became the vicar. But the people still wanted to go back to the National Covenant. Adam Peacock was in charge until 1683. Then, William Speed became the new preacher. In 1688, William of Orange and his wife, Mary, became the new rulers. William Speed quickly left his job. He knew that the Anglican Common Book of Prayer would soon be banned in Scotland's churches.
See also
