News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Greyfriars Kirk/ Photo Credit: Church of Scotland
Greyfriars Kirk/ Photo Credit: Church of Scotland
Church News

Iconic Edinburgh church celebrates 400 year anniversary

by Tola Mbakwe

A world-renowned church in Edinburgh will mark its 400 year anniversary this year with a series of special events.

Greyfriars Kirk is widely known for Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier who guarded his master's grave for 14 years.

It's also famous for its association with the Covenanters, church radicals of the 17th century.

The church's 400 year anniversary celebrations will feature both its history and the community that the Kirk represents today.

Festival organiser Gillian Couper said: "It is 400 years since the Kirk first opened its doors in 1620, making it one of Scotland's oldest institutions, and it continues to thrive and grow to this day.

"Events will celebrate the life and times of Greyfriars past and present. They will explore the rich history and stories associated with it, through which it became a beacon of the Enlightenment and leading centre for the arts.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors, local and from all over the world, to enjoy these events and help celebrate this fantastic anniversary."

This summer the church will host a Festival of Science, Wisdom and Faith inspired by renowned figures from the Enlightenment, an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 17th to 19th century. The people are buried in the Kirkyard, or who were ministers of Greyfriars.

The Church of Scotland said: "A series of talks and panels will encourage the public to reflect on the tension that has often existed between science, wisdom and faith and whether this has changed in the modern era."

Local historian Roy Pinkerton has been launched a new book to coincide with the 400 years exploring the history of the 17 churches which have united to form the present-day Greyfriars congregation.

In September there will be a flower festival which will see the building filled with colourful displays paying tribute to the rich history of the 17 churches.

Celebratory events also include several concerts.

Rev Richard Frazer

Rev Richard Frazer, who has been the minister of Greyfriars Kirk since 2003, said: "Christmas 2020 marks not only 400 years of our building but 400 years of our congregation, an uninterrupted history that has been sustained from the dawn of the modern era and an astonishing record of faith in action."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate