"As well as a place of interesting historical significance, the Canongate Kirk is a peaceful place where all may rest and refresh, and, if you like, pray. Everyone is welcome"
We have walked by this simple church each time we headed down the Royal Mile. We have decided today to go to Sunday service at the Canongate Kirk. It may look familiar as I have previously written about this historic church on my blog, but today we are actually going in.
Canongate Kirk was built in 1691 under the order of King James VII. That is almost 400 years?
We have seen many churches on our journeys. Very bejewelled and exquisite in decorations and design. But this beautiful church is quite different by it's serene simplicity. Interestingly enough there is not one single stained glass window in the church. Clear glass and lots of light.
The church has a huge cemetery surrounding it, right in the heart of Edinburgh.
Some Scottish celebrities are buried there including the sad reminder of the murdered Secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots, Mr. David Riccio.
Interesting and very old tomb stones dot the cemetery.
This is for our Duncan family. We found so many references to the Scottish clan of Duncan. Here are great, great, great......relatives...possibly?
Queen Elizabeth II was reigning for a only four months, in 1952, when she visited Canongate Kirk and planted a tree which still stands. (In the photo below)
Scottish ivy....obviously loves the wet weather.
It grows everywhere.
The inside of the Canongate Kirk is bright and airy. Blue coloured pews with red carpets. A very welcoming atmosphere. The people attending church that morning were extremely friendly.
As a previous church goer, I remembered that people prefer to seat in their regular spots each Sunday. But since we are visitors, we are not sure who sits where?
So, should we head to the front pew?
How about here? Ummmm....the pew is reserved for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillips.
Okay? So we can't sit here.
It is a beautiful pew. There is a golden crown attached to the box designating it as the Queen's. We promised not to make a mess?
Okay....fine....we will sit behind the Queen's pew just in case she is in town and comes to church today!
This pew, opposite from the Queen's is also for Royalty and not for us regular folks.
The last time the entire Royal family attended Canongate Kirk, it was for the wedding of the Queen's granddaughter and Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Phillips and Rugby player Mike Tindall on July 30th, 2011.
Do you think it is possible that we sat in the same pew as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge? Prince William and Kate Middleton?
Hmmmmm......
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