Humbie Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Humbie Parish Church |
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Humbie Church from the north
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| 55°51′49″N 2°51′47″W / 55.8635°N 2.8630°W | |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Churchmanship | Reformed; presbyterian |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Humbie |
| Presbytery | Lothian |
Humbie Parish Church is a special old church located in the quiet village of Humbie, in East Lothian, Scotland. It's part of the Church of Scotland, which is the main church in Scotland. This church is connected with other nearby churches in the areas of Bolton, Saltoun, and Yester. You'll find the church a little bit away from the main village, nestled in a small valley.
Contents
History of Humbie Church
From Old Times to Today
There was a church on this very spot even before the Scottish Reformation, which was a big change in Scotland's religious life around the 1500s. Back in 1618, two old church areas, Keith Symons and Keith Hundeby, joined together to form the combined areas of Keith and Humbie.
A Time of Change: The Disruption of 1843
A very important event happened in 1843, known as the Disruption. At that time, church members often couldn't choose their own minister. Instead, a local powerful person, called a Laird, would choose for them. Many people, including the minister of Humbie Church, felt this was wrong. They believed congregations should have the right to pick their own spiritual leader.
So, the minister and his followers bravely left the church building to worship outside. This was a big step to show they didn't agree with the old system. Over the years, this group joined different church movements, like the Free Church of Scotland and the United Free Church. Finally, in 1929, they came back to be part of the Church of Scotland again.
Church Building and Design
How the Church Looks Inside and Out
The church building you see today was built in 1800. Originally, it had a typical T-shape and faced south. Over time, changes were made. In 1866, famous architect David Bryce made some updates. Then, in 1932, a special area called a chancel was added. A chancel is the part of the church near the altar, often where the choir sits. At this time, the inside of the church was also turned around to face east, which is a common direction for churches.
The Amazing East Window
In 1950, the plain glass window at the east end of the church was replaced with something truly special. A talented artist named Douglas Strachan designed a new window. It shows scenes from the life of King David, a famous figure from the Bible. Douglas Strachan is also known for creating the stunning glass designs at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle.
The Old Graveyard
Around the church is a very old graveyard that is still used today. People say it's a peaceful place to be buried, "deep in the woods with the burn [river] besides." Some of the old gravestones are still readable and show dates from as far back as the 1600s!
The Broun Aisle
In the churchyard, there's a small building called the Broun Aisle. This was built in 1864 by a local family, the Brouns, to be their private burial place. Before this, the Broun family were buried inside the church. However, a plaque on the building explains that this new aisle was built "in deference to the parishioners' feelings," meaning they wanted to respect the wishes of the church members by closing the burial place inside the church. The Broun Aisle itself is now closed and is used for storage.
Music at Humbie Church
How Music Has Changed Over Time
For a long time, the singing in the church was led by a person called a Precentor. This person would stand near the pulpit and lead the songs without an instrument. But in 1906, a harmonium was brought in. A harmonium is a type of small organ that uses air pumped by foot pedals.
Today, the music is led by a small pipe organ. This organ has one keyboard and came from the Norwegian Seamen's Church in Leith, Edinburgh in 1987.
Notable People Buried Here
Some interesting people are buried in the churchyard:
- Sir Robert Hogg Matthew (1906-1975), a very important architect from the 20th century.
- George Waterston (1911-1980), a stationer (someone who sells paper and office supplies) and an ornithologist (someone who studies birds).
See also
