1606

After much loyal service to St Cuthbert's, Rev Robert Pont died. His body was originally interred in the Church but was later moved to the churchyard.  

At the Reformation, the parish population was 2000 but, by 1606, congregation size had increased considerably so lofts were added inside the Church and new parts were built on.  

1612

Samuel West applied to run a school at West Port and others followed in different parts of the Parish.

1621

Parliament disjoined several parts of the burgh of Edinburgh which lay within St Cuthbert’s parish. These transferred to Kirks within the city.  

1627

Another Act led to more lands being annexed and so began the gradual reduction in size of St Cuthbert’s Parish.  

1633

King Charles I (reign 1625 - 49) visited Scotland and tried to establish Episcopacy.   He appointed a bishop in Edinburgh and introduced an English style Prayer Book but the West Kirk refused to conform.

1638

Opposition to the rule of the King led to the drawing up and signing of the National Covenant in Greyfriars Churchyard (it disavowed the Divine Rights of Kings in favour of man's duty to God). The General Assembly met, deposed the bishops and rejected the Service Book. Charles I sent an army but it was defeated by the Covenanters.  

1640

St Cuthbert’s Church and Churchyard used by the Covenanters.  

1650

After defeating the Scots at Dunbar, Oliver Cromwell (rule 1653 - 1658), his troops and their horses, occupied the Church.   The result was described thus:

"The Church was altogider spoyled; naither pulpit, laft, nor seat left therein and full of filth; and also the roof ruinous by shotts of canone and muskett"!  

1661

In this year, King Charles II (reign 1660 - 85) re-instated bishops, and banned the Assembly. Reverends Reid and Williamson of the West Kirk were amongst about 350 non-conforming ministers deprived of their charges. David Williamson, probably the most romantic of St Cuthbert’s Ministers, prophesied he would "return and die minister of this Church".  

He served the persecuted Covenanters over many years, preaching in the hills and fields. His most famous narrow escape took place at the house of a Lady Cherrytrees near Edinburgh. Troopers arrived suddenly, but the astute Lady Cherrytrees gave Williamson a night-gown and put him into bed with her daughter, Jean Kerr.  

That escapade may have earned him the sobriquet of "Dainty Davy" but he may also have been dainty in person. He was probably a lady’s man because he married seven times, including the girl in the bed! As he prophesied, he returned in happier days as Minister of St Cuthbert’s.  

1688

The "Glorious Revolution" replaced James VII (also James II of England, reign 1685-1688) with William and Mary and the Presbyterian Church was restored in Scotland. Rev Williamson and Rev Anderson substantially increased St Cuthbert’s congregation. This was reflected in collections for the poor whose numbers had continued to grow.  

If you are researching your family history, or are interested in finding out more about the history of St Cuthbert's Church or Parish, you can find information on available resources HERE

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