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St James' Goldenacre
St Philip’s and St James, Edinburgh
The east front of the church, viewed from across Inverleith Row
Address57b Inverleith Row Edinburgh EH3 5PX
CountryScotland
DenominationScottish Episcopal
TraditionAnglican
Websitewww.stpj.org.uk
History
DedicationJames the Less
Architecture
Architect(s)Robert Rowand Anderson
StyleGothic
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Edinburgh
Clergy
Priest in chargeRev. 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 1885.[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

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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.[1]

In 1895 a mission congregation was established at Canonmills. In 1909 this new 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.[4]

Description

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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.[5]

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.[6], 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, [1] with windows depicting the Good Samaritan by Henry Payne of Amberley, described as "two lights with intricate, graceful drawing."[7]

The baptistery at the west end contains a marble font by Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson and windows by Douglas Strachan.[7]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Gifford et al., p. 571.
  2. ^ Historic Environment Scotland entry
  3. ^ Cole, p. 22.
  4. ^ St James's Church: History
  5. ^ Cole, p. 15.
  6. ^ Hole, p. 74, 77, 78, 130.
  7. ^ a b Gifford et al., p. 572.

References

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  • 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.
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