Church Overview

The story of the present church stems from the acquisition of the lands of Corstorphine by Adam Forrester from William More of Abercorn in 1347. Forrester, a very successful and influential burgess of Edinburgh, was twice provost of that city and held several other public offices. After he established himself in Corstorphine, he sought and obtained the permission of the Abbot and Chapter of Holyrood to build a votive chapel next to the then-existing church of St Mary. Following Sir Adam’s death, his widow, Margaret, greatly increased the endowments of the chapel.

Although many alterations and additions have taken place over the centuries much of the original medieval building remains. The tower, the south transept or baptistry, the chancel and the sacristy or vestry have survived relatively unscathed. The entrance porch was probably added about 1646 and may have been built from some of the remnants of the old parish church of St Mary which was demolished at that time. The nave is largely a reconstruction and the north transept which was added in 1646 was enlarged in 1828, when a massive extension and alteration took place by doubling the width of the nave by the area north of the three arches.

In 1828, architect William Burn restored the medieval church and made several additions to the building. There was another major restoration in 1903-5, this time overseen  by architect George Henderson, which restored the medieval configuration of the church.

The peaceful interior houses many heraldic panels relating to the Forrester family and some wonderful medieval graveslabs and recessed tombs, including that of the church’s founder Sir Adam Forrester. A selection of eye-catching Victorian stained glass by Ballantine & Son and 20th-century windows by Gordon Webster and Nathaniel Bryson light the building, beneath corbels carved by noted Scottish sculptor William Birnie Rhind, with heads apparently inspired by Leonardo’s da Vinci’s Last Supper. There is also an enigmatic little 14th century wood carving of St John the Baptist, that was relocated to Corstorphine at some point from a demolished church in Wapping, East London and a large medieval font that was relocated from the old reconstructed church at Gogar after it closed in 1954.

Many interesting memorials are to be found in the attached kirkyard, ranging from the 18th to the 20th century, including a magnificent Celtic Revival high cross raised over the burial plot of suffragist, peace activist and barrister Chrystal MacMillan and her family.

Services

Sundays at 10.30am

Opening Arrangements

Open Wednesdays 10.30am-12.00 noon, except December and January

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.