St James's Goldenacre
| St James' Goldenacre | |
|---|---|
| St Philip’s and St James, Edinburgh | |
 The east front of the church, viewed from across Inverleith Row | |
| Address | 57b Inverleith Row Edinburgh EH3 5PX |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Scottish Episcopal |
| Tradition | Anglican |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Dedication | James the Less |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Robert Rowand Anderson |
| Style | Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Edinburgh |
| Clergy | |
| Priest in charge | Rev. Jane MacLaren |
St James' Goldenacre is a Scottish Episcopal church in the Goldenacre area of Edinburgh. It was designed by Robert Rowand Anderson and opened in 1888.[1] It is a Category B listed building[2] and is noted for its interior decoration, including work by distinguished artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.
History
[edit]St James's was originally founded by Rev. Edward Craig, to relieve the overcrowding at Old St Paul's, and initially occupied a building of 1829 in Broughton Place, Edinburgh. In 1883 this building was sold,[3] and the congregation moved to the present site (feued from the Fettes Trust), at first erecting a hall, while conducting a competition for the new church, which was won by Robert Rowand Anderson in 1885. The church as built (by John Beattie and Son in red Corsehill stone) was reduced in size (three nave bays instead of five, and a shorter tower) compared to the original plans.[4]
In 1895 a mission congregation was established at Canonmills. In 1909 this congregation built a new church, St Philip’s, and the joint charge was renamed "St Philip’s and St James’". St Philip's Church is now rented to another religous body.[5]
In 1971 the congregation was linked with Christ Church, in the nearby Trinity district, built in 1854, initially as a private chapel, Christ Church was closed in 1980 and is now a private house, "Church House", 118 Trinity Road.[6] Some artefacts from Christ Church are now in St James's.
Description
[edit]The church occupies a narrow site with the east end facing Inverleith Row: the main entrance to the church was originally up an alleyway at the side (still used for access to the church hall) leading via the baptistery to the west end of the nave. In 1986 a new entrance was created through what had been the Rector's vestry, giving a better entrance from the street and leading directly to the south aisle.[7]
The interior decoration includes a frieze with the words of the Te Deum with vines, peacocks, and apostles, prophets and martyrs, created in spirit fresco by William Hole,[8] who also painted the triptych of Christ with St George and St Stephen above the altar. The chancel decoration, including the altar, choir stalls, and paving, is by John James Burnet,[4] with windows depicting the Good Samaritan by Henry Payne of Amberley, described as "two lights with intricate, graceful drawing."[9]
The baptistery at the west end contains a marble font by Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson and windows by Douglas Strachan.[9]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Cole, p. 39.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland entry
- ^ Cole, p. 22.
- ^ a b Gifford et al., p. 571.
- ^ St James's Church: History
- ^ Canmore entry
- ^ Cole, p. 15.
- ^ Hole, p. 74, 77, 78, 130.
- ^ a b Gifford et al., p. 572.
References
[edit]- Gifford, John; McWilliam, Colin; Walker, David (1991). Edinburgh. The Buildings of Scotland. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-300-09672-9.
- Cole, Gilbert (1988). A Church in Goldenacre. The Rector and Vestry of St James'.
- Hole, Elizabeth (2011). William Hole R.S.A: Miscellaneous Memories of a Lifetime. Mark O'Hanlon. ISBN 978-0-9528059-5-3.