Saint Michael's Parish Church by danapommet

Photography • Architecture • posted on Jun 30, 2011

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Description

Saint Michael's Parish Church is one of the largest burgh churches in the Church of Scotland. It is situated in the town of Linlithgow, West Lothian, Scotland, 15 miles (24 km) west of Edinburgh. Saint Michael is the town's patron saint and the town's motto is "St Michael is kinde to strangers". King David I of Scotland granted a charter for the establishment of the church in 1138. The church was built on the site of an older church and was consecrated in 1242. Following a fire in 1424, most of the present building dates from the mid 15th century, with extensive restorations in the 19th century. The church was completed in 1540. Built only a few meters south of Linlithgow Palace, the church was much favored as a place of worship by Scottish Kings and Queens. Mary, Queen of Scots, was born in Linlithgow Palace on 8 December 1542 and was baptized in Saint MichaelÃ¢ï¿½ï¿½s Church. In 1559, at an early stage of the Scottish Reformation, the Protestant Lords of the Congregation destroyed the statues adorning the exterior and interior of the church as signs of "popishness", and defaced the statue of Saint Michael which formed part of the structure. Following the Reformation, the interior of the church was reordered. Some traces of pre-Reformation artifacts can still be detected. In 1646, Oliver Cromwell's troops stabled their horses within the nave. Following the departure of the troops considerable restoration was required. By the early 19th century the church was in a very poor physical condition. Although repairs were made, many of the historic features of the church were destroyed, the interior walls were whitewashed, a plaster ceiling replaced a fine 16th century one and in 1821 the stone Crown Tower (a crown steeple similar to that of Saint Giles' Cathedral) had to be dismantled. While other repairs were completed and the church was rededicated in 1896, the tower was too weakened for restoration of the original stone crown steeple. By the late 19th century tastes had changed radically, with the installation of the church's first post-Reformation stained glass windows. In 1964, in a then highly controversial move, an aluminum crown was installed (replacing the Crown Tower removed in 1821). The modern crown is evocative of Christ's crown of thorns; it is intended to emphasize the kingship of Christ over his church. The lightweight aluminum minimizes the load on the tower and reinterprets the crown steeple in a modern idiom. Info from Wikipedia. With failing light this is not the best of shots. Photo taken May 1995 and recently scanned. Zoom will give you a better view of the Crown Tower. Thanks for stopping by my gallery, taking a look and for all your previous favs and comments. They are very much appreciated. Dana

Comments (27)

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geico2000

2:18PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

wonderful picture! I love very much the light and colors!

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adrie

2:21PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

Beautiful capture and info Dana.

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drifterlee

2:27PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

really beautiful church and shot!

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jayfar

2:29PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

This is a super capture Dana and a great deal of fascinating reading.

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Feliciti

3:07PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

great captured!! like this so much!!

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bobrgallegos

3:18PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

Wow Dana, this a wonderful photo, full of great natural light, Awesome textures and nicely composed. Very well done My friend!!! Very nice narrative also.

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durleybeachbum

3:26PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

WQhat a beautiful pic, Dana! That aluminium top is even better close up!

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kbrog

3:30PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

Excellent POV on this and a wonderful sky off this picture, superb capture! :)

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zil2008

4:01PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

Great capture and info , Dana.

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Erestorfan

4:28PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

Great shot and a very interesting story to go with it!!!!

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Bossie_Boots

4:43PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

I have been to this church its beautiful superb work and thanks for the info !!

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jocko500

5:42PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

love to see this place in person but I know I will not. So thought your eyes i see this lovely place and dream of what happen with in these walls

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Faemike55

7:05PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

This is a very stunning photo Great bit of history of this church

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goodoleboy

7:30PM | Thu, 30 June 2011

Stellar POV, silhouetting and sky effects in this foto, followed by extensive historical information on its existence, Dana.

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Lashia

1:01AM | Fri, 01 July 2011

good postwork and writeup! thanks for sharing! :-)

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fallen21

2:44AM | Fri, 01 July 2011

Amazing place! Excellent work.

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jendellas

4:54AM | Fri, 01 July 2011

I noticeded the church in your last pic, I wondered if you had captured it, great info!!!

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dakotabluemoon

6:13AM | Fri, 01 July 2011

All i can say is wow i really love looking at these shots of a world beyond us now past.

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mariogiannecchini

7:38AM | Fri, 01 July 2011

Beautiful capture of this beautiful church !Wonderfuil POV and lighting !

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MrsRatbag

8:53AM | Fri, 01 July 2011

A wonderful building!

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flavia49

10:15AM | Fri, 01 July 2011

wonderful series!!

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bmac62

3:07PM | Fri, 01 July 2011

Thanks Dana. I really enjoyed reading the history of this lovely place. Did you take a month tour of the UK at one time? You must have been bushed when you got home:)

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