The Old Parish Church of Peebles

Virtual Visit

The Present Church

The Lectern and Font Table

The Old Parish Church of Peebles

The Lectern was gifted to the Church in 1897, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. During services, the Bible is placed on the outstretched wings of the eagle, which, soaring higher than other birds, is symbolic of the movement of people’s thoughts heavenward.

Virtual Visit

The Font Table  was commissioned by the Kirk Session to celebrate the new millennium and was dedicated on Advent Sunday, 1998. It is the work of Denys Mitchell of Kelso.   Cradled beneath the table is what is considered part of a pre-reformation font, probably its pedestal. It is beautifully carved round the side with what are elongated lancet windows.   For baptisms, the bronze plate is removed from the glass table top and the silver basin inserted instead with the laver beside it. During Advent, a candle stand of forged iron and bronze is placed on top. Its detail matches that of the stone. This blending of the ancient and modern is symbolic of the continuity of Christian worship in Peebles over the centuries. The Communion and Baptismal Silver The Church silver has all been donated. There are two sets of chalices, the older set dating from 1684. The later set of chalices dates from 1895. Like the four patens and two flagons gifted at the same time, they are made from Scottish silver from the mines at Wanlockhead in the 17th century style and match the cups of that century. Nine inches high, they weigh eighteen ounces each. The Baptismal Silver consists of two pieces, a laver and a basin, and both bear the coat of arms of the donor. The inscription reads, “This laver and basin was gifted by William, Earle of March, to the Kirk of Peebles in the year 1702”.