St Cuthbert's History

Early 1900s Photo - We have no date for the following photo, entitled 'Maule's Corner', but believe it to be early 1900s. St Cuthbert's is seen to the right, with Edinburgh Castle directly behind the Church. 

1906 - An alabaster frieze, representing Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper', was erected in the Apse. The minister of the time, Rev Dr James MacGregor, had to defend the beauty of the Apse and its decorations against some who thought it too richly adorned.  

1908 - The Font was installed. The mother and child sculpture set on the middle raised considerable controversy because some considered it a representation of the Madonna and Child.  

1912 - As reported in 'The Scotsman' newspaper of 31st July, the Font sculpture issue was discussed at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It became something of a national issue, the pros and cons debated from the theological and aesthetic viewpoints both in committee and in the press!  

1920s Photo - As the following 1920s aerial photo shows, before the trees grew around the church, St Cuthbert's (top left of photo) was very easy to spot. The church at middle left - on Princes Street - is our Scottish Episcopal neighbour, St John's. 

1928 - The internal fabric of the church was redecorated and the church organ was restored.  

1942 - On 15th November the church bells rang out to celebrate the victory at El Alamein (site of the decisive British battle in the North Africa campaign). They were broadcast with bells from across the UK. Up until then, the bell clappers had been 'tied' for three years because of the war. 

1956-57 - The church organ was completely re-designed and rebuilt, with a number of tonal additions. It was dedicated on Palm Sunday 1957 by the Very Reverend Charles L. Warr, Dean of the Chapel Royal and the Order of the Thistle, the opening recital being given by W. O. Minay.  

1988 - St Cuthbert's 'The Kirk below the Castle' Exhibition was held. The Change-ringers rang the church bells for 3 hours on Saturday 28th May as the Exhibition drew to a close.  

1989-91 - The church interior was altered to the design of Stewart Tod & Partners, Architects of Edinburgh to provide hall accommodation on two floors. The new west wall was given splendid plasterwork to match the existing interior of the church.  

1994 - Centenary year of the present church building, believed to be the 7th on the site. As part of the celebrations, a booklet was published telling the story of St Cuthbert's Church and Parish. Much research had already been skillfully carried out by Congregation members and friends for the 1988 Exhibition, and this was built upon for the booklet (references).  

1997-98 - Thanks to generous bequests from Elders John Shepherd and Janet Lusk, the organ was extensively restored, reconstructed and improved upon. Care was taken to retain the romantic tonal qualities of the instrument and the original organ cases were retained.  

1999 - St Cuthbert's Church first web site developed.