In the expanding area of Morningside, St Matthew's Church, as this building was originally named, was established in an iron church across the railway line in 1885, where 2 Cluny Avenue now is.
St Matthew's began as a mission of the original Morningside Parish Church (now part of Napier University at Newbattle Terrace), with that original Morningside Parish Church being founded by St Cuthbert's Parish Church in 1838. The size of the congregation soon demanded a larger building and the present church opened for worship ion 2nd May 1890. It cost about £20,000. The hall was built in 1896. In 1901 the chancel was added and the organ installed at a further cost of £14,000.
In 1974 there was a union between the congregations of St Matthew's Parish Church and South Morningside Parish Church (now the Cluny Centre) and this union created Cluny Parish Church.
There is an historic link between the names of Cluny and Morningside. The Braid estate was purchased in 1722 by Charles Gordon of Cluny (the name of his estate in Aberdeenshire). The Cluny family built 'The Hermitage of Braid' in 1785 and lived there when not in the north.
As you enter the Church you may well appreciate the thoughts expressed by the famous architect Hippolyte Blanc about this Church, his creation: "It is composed upon the best lines of the medieval Church, and is designed throughout in the style of the late C13th, the forms and details of which are probably the purest and most graceful of any of the periods of Gothic.
The vestibule was widened in 1992 but still retains the fine original tiled floor and an oak bench gifted in 1896. As part of a general refurbishment the dark wooden interior was lightened in 2003 and a disabled access added to the north door.
The eight stained glass windows were gifted over the years as memorials. The first pair depicts Mary holding the infant Jesus, and the apostle John. The next two depict Peter with the keys and Bible, and Paul with a sword. The next pair are the two most recent windows: the first is of Cuthbert (relating back to the fact that this building is a 'granddaughter' of St Cuthbert's Parish Church) and was installed to commemorate the union of Cluny Parish Church and Morningside Braid Parish Church in 2003. The text is "That they shall be one". The second window in this pair is dedicated to Cecilia and the practice of music. The fourth pair of windows illustrate the two texts "I am the light of the world" and "I am the Good Shepherd and know my sheep and am known of mine."
The pews were removed in 1995 to create an open area and the wood reused to provide cupboard space for Church effects.
The St Andrew stained glass window, although small, is particularly fine and was given as a memorial to A.C. Bremner, an elder from 1890 to 1930, and to his youngest son Jack, killed in the First World War. The marble mural panel commemorates the Revd Frank Martin, Minister for 29 years until 1941; the Celtic cross is based on that of St Martin's in Iona.
Situated above the gallery, the four lights or panels represent Jesus as family friend (the raising of Lazarus), as preacher (the sermon on the mount), as philanthropist (feeding the multitude) and as missionary (sending out the apostles). The whole window, which was executed by Percy Bacon and Co., London, was dedicated in 1905 following the 21st anniversary of the formation of the congregation, in thanksgiving for which the fourth light was given. The light commemorates an elder's wife, Mrs Westland, and the two central lights the Revd Duncan Campbell, Minister from 1894 until his death in 1903.
Described as 'one of the most chaste and ornate specimens of such artistic work in the country' the chancel was added in 1901. The ladies of the congregation gifted the marble floor, and the domestic servants within the congregation the marble steps. The communion table, with its symbolic carving of the vine and the wheat, and the pulpit, had already been gifted and dedicated in 1895.
This window was designed by Sir Edward Burne Jones and executed by William Morris and Co., Merton Abbey, London. The four principal lights portray the four evangelists with their respective emblems and incidents representative of the four gospels -Matthew (Adoration of the Magi), Mark (Christ blessing little children), Luke (the Lord's Supper), John (Christ showing His wounded side). The upper vesica shows the Lord in glory, and the two small medallions represent works of mercy. All four lights were gifted in memory of and in thanks offering for members of the congregation between 1898 and 1900.
The organ, the last to be built in Scotland by that doyen of C19th organ builders Henry 'Father' Willis, was installed in time for a service commemorating the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. It cost £650. Henry Willis died just two weeks before the first playing of the instrument and was therefore unable to supervise the final voicing. Alterations and improvements have been made over the years, and in the view of the present organist, Morley Whitehead, the overall effect of the organ is very fine, full, warm and rounded, especially when heard from the Nave. A major refurbishment of the organ is scheduled for 2004.
The eagle brass lectern which was presented in 1905 by William H Ross has been refurbished in recent years. It is similar in style to the historic brass lectern given to the Bishop of Dunkeld by the Pope in 1500 and removed from Holyrood Abbey by English troops in 1544.
As with the north transept some pews were removed to create space in 1995 and the pinewood reused to provide additional storage facilities.
Within the transept on the east wall are the War Memorials to members of the congregation of St Matthew's and South Morningside Churches. The south window is a memorial to members of St Matthew's who fell in the First World War. This window depicts the crucifixion, with Mary and a Roman soldier at the foot of the cross, and also the risen Christ and the saints below.
Eight stained glass windows which have been gifted in fairly recent years by family and friends in memory of loved ones. The first depicts 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest'; the second is 'Go ye unto all the world'. Then come Ninian and Columba and 'My soul doth magnify the Lord', followed by Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, and Francis of Assisi. Finally a window depicting Bernard was dedicated in 1997.
Climbing to the gallery allows a closer look at the west window and also the experience of the overall beauty of the church through the nave to the chancel.
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