St Peter's Church, Linlithgow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter's, Linlithgow |
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| 55°58′34″N 3°36′14″W / 55.9761°N 3.6039°W | |
| Denomination | Scottish Episcopal |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | St Mildred's, Linlithgow |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Consecrated | 30 May 1928 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | B |
| Designated | 18 December 1976 |
| Architect(s) | J.W. Todd |
| Architectural type | Byzantine |
| Groundbreaking | 18 May 1927 |
| Completed | May 1928 |
| Construction cost | £1,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of domes | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Edinburgh |
St Peter's Church, Linlithgow is a church in the town of Linlithgow, Scotland. It belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the worldwide Anglican Christian family. The church building on Linlithgow High Street is a special historic building. It is listed as a Category B building, meaning it is important to Scotland's heritage.
Church History
The story of St Peter's Church as a group of people began in 1912. Back then, a group of local Episcopalians (members of the Scottish Episcopal Church) started a group called the St Peter's Episcopal Mission.
Finding a Home
In its early years, the church group did not have its own building. They met in many different places around Linlithgow.
- They used the Court Room in the Burgh Halls.
- They met in a public house that was no longer open.
- They also used various shops.
Later, they found a hall on the High Street. But in 1914, the army needed the hall, so the church group had to leave. They then used an old church building called Craigmailen United Free Church. However, they had to move out again because of a problem called dry rot (a type of fungus that damages wood). The group also used rooms owned by the Scotch Girls Friendly Society and a room at the Palace Hotel.
Building the Church
This situation continued until 1924. The priest in charge, Reverend W.S. Snow, told the Bishop of Edinburgh, G.H.S. Walpole, about their difficulties. The bishop decided to help. He gave £100 to buy land on the High Street. He also promised another £500, which he planned to get from a speaking tour in the USA.
Even with this help, the first building plan by architect J.W. Todd was too expensive. It would have cost £1600, which the church group could not afford. So, they chose a simpler design that cost £1000. The church had to fit into a very narrow space, only 26 feet wide. The church's unusual Byzantine design was chosen partly because it helped bring enough light into such a tight space, with tall buildings on both sides.
Laying the Foundation
The first stone for the church was laid on May 18, 1927, by Colonel Maclaren of the Craigs. The church was finished almost exactly one year later, in May 1928.
Even though the church group had always been called St Peter's, Bishop Walpole dedicated the new building to St Mildred. This was because his late wife had the same name. The church's name changed back to St Peter's in 1978. However, St Mildred is still remembered in one of the beautiful stained glass windows inside the church.
Church Connections
St Peter's Church in Linlithgow works closely with St Columba's Church in nearby Bathgate.
