History
St James's was originally founded by Rev. Edward Craig, to relieve the overcrowding at St Paul's Church (now Old St Paul's), and initially occupied a building of 1829 in Broughton Place, Edinburgh. In 1883 this building was sold, 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 was built by John Beattie and Son in red Corsehill stone. In 1888 the church was opened by the Bishop of Edinburgh, but it could not be consecrated until 1894, when it was free of debt. 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 1894 the Vestry voted to accept a generous offer from the distinguished artist William Hole (a member of the congregation) to create a complete painted decoration scheme, in his spare time and at no cost.
In 1898 alterations were made to the chancel, in accordance with a scheme designed by Sir John James Burnet, including a gilded triptych above the altar with paintings by William Hole.
In 1922 a rood was erected on a beam across the chancel arch, as a memorial to a former rector. It was designed by Sir John James Burnet and excuted by the sculptor Gilbert Bayes. It was later thought that the rood detracted from the view of the chancel, and it was removed and the five sculpted figures installed in the entrance vestibule.
In 1923 a baptistery, also designed by Sir John James Burnet, was added at the west end of the south aisle and now became the way for the congregation to enter the church, through a traceried screen.
In 1985 major structural problems were detected, which led to a progamme of remedial work. including the creation of a new entrance through what had been the Rector's vestry, giving a better entrance from the street and leading directly to the south aisle.
St Philip's
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 religious body. [11] A "Jesse Tree" carving, by Tom Whalen, was commissioned in 1948 and installed in St Philip's. It is now in St James's church hall.
Christ Church
Christ Church, in the nearby Trinity district, was built in 1854, initially as a private chapel. In 1875 its owner sold it to its congregation. In 1971 Christ Church was linked with St James's under a single rector. but problems with the fabric meant that it became uneconomic to repair: Christ Church was closed in 1980 and is now a private house, "Church House", 118 Trinity Road. [14] Following the closure, a Christ Church chapel was created at St James's in a former cloakroom, containing some of the artefacts familiar to members of the Christ Church congregation.
Description
The church occupies a narrow site with the east end facing Inverleith Row: It contains a chancel, a three-bay nave with south aisle, and a short tower. There was provision for extending the nave by two further bays, and for increasing the height of the tower, but this did not happen.
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, 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, with windows depicting the Good Samaritan by Henry Payne of Amberley, described as "two lights with intricate, graceful drawing."
The baptistery at the west end contains a marble font by Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson and windows by Douglas Strachan.
Peace Garden
On Sunday 12 November 2023 the Bishop of Edinburgh blessed a Peace Garden in front of the church, incorporating a Peace Pole. [19] The garden symbolises hope and healing, and is intended to be a place for people to sit and rest. [20]
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