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”.
© Peebles Old Parish Church of Scotland