The church was opened in 1966 and was dedicated on 12 September 1966 by Archbishop Gordon Gray of the Archdiocese of St Andrew’s and Edinburgh. The church serves the following areas: Fox Covert, Drumbrae, Clermiston, Parkgrove, Barnton, Cammo, Strathalmond and most of Craigmount. Architecturally, the church has a hyperbolic parabola roof on four pillars with walls and peripheral offices added. It was built during a time of rapid liturgical and architectural change. There is a magnificent free-standing altar built for celebration facing the people but there are still altar rails. Nevertheless, a great feature of the church is that everyone has a clear unimpeded view of the altar.
Artistic Features:
~ A sculpture of St John Oglvie sits on the right of the altar produced by Betty Koster.
~ The sculpture of Our Lady of Walsingham (or some say, Our Lady of Mount Carmel) is situated to the left of the is by Sydney Birnie Stewart and was cast in Ednburgh by George Mancini.
~ The sculpture of The Risen Christ, carved in stone by Sidney Birnie Stewart, and is at the back of the Church.
~ The main altar crucifix is a bronze by Julian Allen.
~ The Stations of the Cross are linocuts on a Nairn tile executed by Elisabeth Koster.
~ The panels on each side of the tabernacle represent the four elements – earth, air, fire and water – and are tapestries by Sax Shaw.
~ The design and fabrication of the Tabernacle was executed by Elizabeth Koster. Read more
Sax Shaw was also responsible for:
– The baptismal font
– The Baptistery window (the original wrought iron enclosing the Baptistery has been removed and the Baptismal font moved to the front of the church)
– The Saints of Scotland windows in the Lady Chapel
– The processional cross and candlesticks.
– Original symbolic Stations of the Cross and crucifix no longer in use.
Lady Chapel: The triptych over the altar was formerly in the possession of the Lothian family, and is now the property of the Archdiocese of St Andrew’s and Edinburgh, and on permanent loan to St Kentigern’s.
Courtyard: The stone pillar and wrought ironwork are a representation of St Kentigern. The abstract sculpture was executed by Sydney Birnie Stewart.
St Kentigern
Died c.603
Mother was Princess Theneva, daughter of King Loth (Lleuddun)
Raised in a monastery in Culross,Fife,
and given the nickname Mungo, meaning “dear one”
First Bishop of Glasgow and its Patron Saint
His tomb is in the crypt of Glasgow Cathedral
St Mungo appears on Glasgow’s Coat of Arms along with his miracles; a Bishop with a robin on his shoulder, holding a bell, and a fish with a ring in its mouth.
Feast Day celebrated: 13 January
Read more .. .. St Kentigern
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Ss John the Baptist and Kentigern is a Parish of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, registered charity No. SCO08540