Exploring the Art and Architecture of St James’s Episcopal Church, Goldenacre – A Study Day

Exploring the Art and Architecture of St James’s Episcopal Church, Goldenacre – A Study Day

St James’s Church was opened in 1888, in the rapidly developing Goldenacre area of north Edinburgh, at a time of great expansion of the Episcopal church. Its architect Robert Rowand Anderson (1834–1921) was later knighted and regarded as “the premier architect of Scotland”. His other works include Edinburgh University’s magnificent McEwan Hall, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, its Gothic style a striking contrast to the classical terraces of the New Town.

The visual climax of St James’s is the mural decoration, using the spirit fresco technique, by William Hole, (1846–1917) covering the walls of the chancel with angels, cathedrals, and processions of prophets, apostles, martyrs, and representatives of Eastern and Western churches, all inspired by the ancient Te Deum hymn. Hole created this over three years at no cost to the congregation, of which he was a devout member, but it led to an important commission to decorate the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

The architect John James Burnet, noted for the Edward VII wing of the British Museum, designed the chancel, with its beautiful reredos and triptych (with paintings by Hole) and the baptistery. There are windows by Ballantine and Gardiner, Douglas Strachan, “the finest British stained glass artist of the 20th century” (Our Lord blessing the children, “simple and direct”), and Henry Payne (the Good Samaritan, “two lights with intricate, graceful drawing”). There are sculptural works by Charles Pilkington Jackson, Gilbert Bayes and Hew Lorimer, altogether making St James’s a treasure house of the Scottish Arts and Crafts movement.

Speakers will include:

• Dr Sam McInstry on Robert Rowand Anderson
• Liz Louis, National Galleries of Scotland, on William Hole
• Dr Sally Rush, art historian, University of Glasgow, on Ballantine & Company
• Annette Carruthers on Henry Payne, stained glass artist
• Mark Bambrough on Douglas Strachan
• Kirsty Jackson on Charles Pilkington Jackson’s sculptures in the Baptistery
• Dr Alan Powers FSA on Gilbert Bayes, his work at St James’s in a wider perspective

The event will be chaired by Dr Peter Burman MBE FSA.

Book your place

Registration from 9:00 in the hall behind the church, with guided tours of the church in smaller groups from 9:15 onwards. The Study Day will begin promptly at 10:15.

Donation £20 per person, including coffee, lunch and tea.

Please send a separate email to stjamesgoldenacre@gmail.com, confirming that you have made an online payment to “St Philips & St James”, Account No. 00787069 Sort Code 80 02 33, or contact us for other ways to pay. More information on the St James’ Goldenacre website. 

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