Churches in Scotland

I suspect (but can’t be certain) that religion lurks in the background of the Scottish Referendum. Unlike Canada, Scotland has a state church which is called (surprise, surprise) the Church of Scotland. However, it’s not the same denomination as the state church of England which is called (surprise, surprise) the Church of England. Clearly, both churches took their names long before the rise of ad agencies and branding campaigns. Despite concerns about waning membership, when you compare CoS’s situation to the position of churches in Canada, the Church of Scotland still has a prominent and formative role in Scotland’s cultural identity. I would be interested to know if affiliation with the Church of Scotland influences the way a person votes in the referendum.

Below, I offer images from several places of worship. First up, St. Mary’s Parish Church in Kirkintilloch, which is just a little outside Glasgow:

St. Mary's Parish Church, Kirkintilloch, Bell Tower — St. Mary’s Parish Church, Kirkintilloch, Bell Tower

Stained Glass windows at St. Mary's Parish Church designed by Willie Rodger — Stained Glass windows at St. Mary’s Parish Church designed by Willie Rodger

Wide view of nave of Glasgow Cathedral, with The Creation in The Great West Window

Millennium Window, by John K Clark, glasspainter, Glasgow Cathedral

Graffiti for the ages: Scratches on a Column, Glasgow Cathedral

Stained Glass Window, St. Mungo's Crypt — Stained Glass Window, St. Mungo’s Crypt

Fancy Green Stained Glass Window, St. Mungo's Crypt — A surprisingly modern example of religious art: Christ’s ascension?

My favourite church disaster story is the story of Renfield St. Stephen’s in Glasgow much of which was destroyed on December 26th, 1998 when the steeple collapsed in a storm. December 26th is, ahem, St. Stephen’s day. Below is the restored sanctuary reflected in the building across the street.

Renfield St. Stephens Church, Glasgow — Reflection of Renfield St. Stephens Church in glass of building across the street

Stained Glass window from Renfield St. Stephens Church, Glasgow

Way over in Edinburgh is St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, not Church of Scotland, but nobody’s perfect. Then again, I’m not Presbyterian either, so what do I care?

Sanctuary of St. Mary's Cathedral, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott & consecrated in 1879. — Sanctuary of St. Mary’s Cathedral, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott & consecrated in 1879.

Stained glass windows by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh — Stained glass windows by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh

Praying Hands, St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh — Praying Hands, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh

Then, hopping to the west of Glasgow, we have Paisley Abbey, founded in the 12th century.

Detail from stained glass window at Paisley Abbey