First published as part of the centenary celebrations for St James the Less Church, Penicuik, Midlothian, in 1982, this book tells the story of the beginnings of the church and congregation following the Jacobite Rebellions, and the various struggles and joys met along the way.
The community may be small, but there are plenty of stories to tell from that first century - of plans and problems, people and prayer.
The second edition has been revised, updated and had new (and old) photographs added for the next generation of readers, since another quarter-century and more has passed since the centenary itself. Black-and-white photographs and drawings throughout.
I wrote the book some twenty-eight years ago, at the time (1982) when the congregation of St James the Less, Penicuik were about to celebrate the church's 100th birthday. That was quite an impressive milestone for a small church built out on the edge of a town in the Scottish Borders whose population were then largely paper mill workers, with a few miners and farm workers thrown in. Not forgetting, of course, the local Glencorse Barracks, home of the Royal Scots.
As is usual, the cost of the initial building work and of keeping the place afloat were a source of constant worry, and many means were tried over the years to keep funds flowing in. There were times when it seemed impossible to pay for this repair or that improvement, but somehow the clergy, the vestry and the congregation managed to find a way ahead.
Well, the church is still there; still a beautiful building, a credit and an ornament to the memory and the dreams of those who have gone before. A hundred and twenty-eight years later the congregation still enjoy the stained glass and the music, and will, I imagine, go on doing so for a good while yet.
The last chapter in the book goes into tremendous detail about the structure, ornamentation and furnishings of St James the Less; this chapter was written by Elinor Tavner for Penicuik Historical Society, who kindly agreed to its inclusion here. The first chapter and foreword were written by Angus Palmer, who was Rector in 1982.
As well as some old photographs and postcards which have been added for this edition, a number of new photographs have been taken for the cover and interior by Jon Redpath. The original drawings created by Jon, our children and myself are reproduced here too.
The community may be small, but there are plenty of stories to tell from that first century - of plans and problems, people and prayer.
The second edition has been revised, updated and had new (and old) photographs added for the next generation of readers, since another quarter-century and more has passed since the centenary itself. Black-and-white photographs and drawings throughout.
I wrote the book some twenty-eight years ago, at the time (1982) when the congregation of St James the Less, Penicuik were about to celebrate the church's 100th birthday. That was quite an impressive milestone for a small church built out on the edge of a town in the Scottish Borders whose population were then largely paper mill workers, with a few miners and farm workers thrown in. Not forgetting, of course, the local Glencorse Barracks, home of the Royal Scots.
As is usual, the cost of the initial building work and of keeping the place afloat were a source of constant worry, and many means were tried over the years to keep funds flowing in. There were times when it seemed impossible to pay for this repair or that improvement, but somehow the clergy, the vestry and the congregation managed to find a way ahead.
Well, the church is still there; still a beautiful building, a credit and an ornament to the memory and the dreams of those who have gone before. A hundred and twenty-eight years later the congregation still enjoy the stained glass and the music, and will, I imagine, go on doing so for a good while yet.
The last chapter in the book goes into tremendous detail about the structure, ornamentation and furnishings of St James the Less; this chapter was written by Elinor Tavner for Penicuik Historical Society, who kindly agreed to its inclusion here. The first chapter and foreword were written by Angus Palmer, who was Rector in 1982.
As well as some old photographs and postcards which have been added for this edition, a number of new photographs have been taken for the cover and interior by Jon Redpath. The original drawings created by Jon, our children and myself are reproduced here too.
