WELCOME St. Matthew s Beyond Church of the Scotland Spire Welcome to Perth s iconic St. Matthew s Church of Scotland on the bank of the mighty river Tay. Our church building was established in 171, was united with three other churches in 1965 and significantly refurbished in 2015-2016. As minister of St. Matthew s I m very proud to serve in a church that is prominent in our ancient capital city, and so widely admired by all who live and work here, as well as those who visit. I pray that you will enjoy your time here, and relish the rich story of God s people who have gathered here in happy times and sad. Our congregation is a dynamic, vibrant one. Our main diet of worship takes place each Sunday at 11am. If you re in town then, please do join us. When I say you ll be made welcome, I mean it most sincerely. Our friendliness and hospitality is undoubtedly our best feature! Please enjoy this open place of worship and Christian community. We are glad you are visiting. May you know a sense of history as well as a sense of our Creator s presence. Wherever you have travelled from may God bless you. Rev Scott Burton BD DipMin
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1: BURNING BUSH 2: PULPIT 3: PIPE ORGAN 4: BOYS BRIGADE COLOURS 5: TURNBULL MEMORIAL WINDOW 6: BLACK WATCH BATTALION COLOURS 7: WAR MEMORIAL WINDOW : WAR MEMORIAL 9: MIDDLE CHURCH WINDOW 10: BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL 11: BALCONY STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
1: BURNING BUSH 2: PULPIT This original, beautifully sculpted, burning bush stonework represents the story of Moses encounter with God on Mount Horeb (Exodus 3:1-4). It is the official emblem of The Church of Scotland often used alongside the Latin words nec tamen consumebatur (It was not however consumed). Many other reformed church denominations worldwide, also utilize this image. As styles and patterns of worship change, our current minister does not use this pulpit to preach from during public worship. However, on 23rd November 171 the Very Reverend Dr Thomas Guthrie, former moderator of the Free Church preached here to dedicate the building to the glory of God. Dr Guthrie was a very prominent figure in Scotland as a leader in the temperance movement and as the founder of ragged schools with their unique curriculum of education, regular meals, clothes, industrial training and Christian instruction. A statue of him stands on Princes Street, Edinburgh. For further details on the use of the emblem in the wider church please visit www.churchofscotland.org.uk
3: PIPE ORGAN Our fully working, magnificent pipe organ leads people in praise of God during our regular services of worship. Designed and built by JW Walker of London, England, it was installed in 196 for the sum of 900. Mystery surrounds this installation given that the congregation, at the time, was still a Free Kirk, and this denomination of the Church is well known for its strong tradition of unaccompanied Psalm singing. It was reconstructed in 1974 by Robert Goldsmith of Edinburgh. 4: BOYS BRIGADE COLOURS The Boys Brigade is a Christian youth organisation that began in Glasgow in 13, under the leadership of Sir William Alexander Smith. The colours that hang here are from the Perth Battalion, even though there is no longer a company based in this church. The motto (Sure & Steadfast) and emblem (the anchor) have their source in Hebrews 6:19. 5: TURNBULL MEMORIAL WINDOW The stunning rose window located behind our organ pipes was installed in 174 as a memorial to Mr William Turnbull, a prominent and influential elder within the original Free Church congregation. On 9th October 165 Mr Turnbull had proposed the construction of this sanctuary, and he donated some 2,300 to secure the site and a further 590 towards construction costs. Sadly, however, he died on 26th January 169 so never actually saw the building s completion in 171.
6: BLACK WATCH BATTALION COLOURS 7: WAR MEMORIAL WINDOW St. Matthew s has had a long association with The Black Watch regiment of the British Army. The regimental colours hanging her are from the th, 9th, 10th and 12th service battalions that were presented to this church at the end of WW1. Look closely at them and you can see the name of several battles embroidered upon them to commemorate the Black Watch s involvement in many a battle. This beautiful stained glass window was removed from the former Wilson Memorial Church that was, in 1965, united with Perth: West Church to form the congregation housed here at St. Matthew s. It depicts Christ and John the Baptist and an Army soldier alongside an RAF airman. The window was designed by a former member of the aforementioned congregation.
: WAR MEMORIALS 9: MIDDLE CHURCH WINDOW St. Matthew s houses five separate war memorial plaques from WW1 and WW2. These all commemorate the lives of service personnel from each of the congregations that were united here in 1965. Some of the symbols include a crown (symbolic of kingship and victory), a pelican (a symbol of the atonement) and the CHI RHO (an early symbol of Christ s name). Perth: Middle Church was also united to form St. Matthew s in 1965. This stained glass window, with its biblical text from Hebrews 11:10, came from the chancel area of their red sandstone building which still stands on its original Tay Street site, next door to the Royal George Hotel. It was renovated into residential apartments in the early 1990 s. Unfortunately it was not possible to incorporate this piece as a single unit, so additional sections are installed in the balcony area at the opposite end of the sanctuary.
10: BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL As stated earlier, St. Matthew s has a long association with the Black Watch Regiment of the British Army. In our vestibule area is sited a replica of a 1947 memorial from the 2nd Battalion who were tragically drowned in a cyclone near the village of Contai in India. 11: BALCONY STAINED GLASS WINDOWS Originally, all the windows in the gallery area were of plain glass. The stunning stained glass was installed in 11, a decade after opening. Towards the back of the church, above our welcome area, the other sections of the stained glass from Perth: Middle Church were incorporated at the time of the union (1965). These are very detailed pieces representing Christ as Prophet, Priest and King. Others name Scottish Martyrs and church leaders.
MORE INFORMATION This guide has been produced by the congregation with significant and gratefully received financial support from The Heritage Lottery Places of Worship Grant Scheme. We are very proud to open our doors to enable the general public the enjoyment and learning that comes from the heritage incorporated within this historic structure. More information about our church can be found at www.stmatts.org.uk Contact our Church office: office@stmatts.org.uk 0173636757 As the building faces the future you can help with ongoing sustainability by placing a donation in one of the donation boxes sited around the building. Alternatively text MATT02 5 to 70070 Thank you for your interest.