St John's Kirk Perth

St John's Kirk, Perth, Scotland

St. John's Kirk, Perth is one of the oldest and most historically significant churches in this part of Scotland. Dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the church has been a focal point of religious, cultural, and political life in Perth for over 800 years.

The exterior of the church in Perth. — Figure on the exterior of the church © St John's Kirk

History

The origins of St. John's Kirk date back to the early 12th century, with the earliest records mentioning a church here in 1126. The church was initially established during the reign of King David I.

St. John's Kirk holds a particularly important place in the history of the Scottish Reformation. In 1559, John Knox delivered a famous sermon at St. John's Kirk that sparked widespread iconoclasm against Roman Catholicism in the 'Fair City' and beyond. Much of the church's medieval interior, including its stained glass and Catholic iconography, was removed or destroyed during this period along with other religious houses in Perth.

Architecture

The church is Perth's oldest surviving building and the earliest parts of the Category A listed building are the choir, tower and steeple built between 1448 and 1511.

Architect James Gillespie Graham worked on the church in the early 19th century. He removed the church's interior partitions created during the Reformation.

Sir Robert Lorimer again restored parts of the building in the early 20th century reinstating the upper floor of Halkerston's Tower (the north porch), refurbishing the medieval oak roof of the choir and also creating the screen separating the Knox Chapel from the choir.

Stained glass in St John's Kirk. — Stained glass © St John's Kirk

Interior

The impressive nave dates from the 1490s and was built with funds provided by King James IV. It was restored by Lorimer in 1926.

None of the medieval stained glass survived the Reformation. The stained glass we see today includes the Blue Window by the American stained glass artist Harvey Salvin (1930-2022), who was active in Scotland at the time. The Black Watch Window is dedicated to the 6th Battalion of the regiment and is the work of Scottish artist William Wilson (1905-1972).

The Great West Window is by English artist Herbert Hendrie (1887-1946), known for his stained glass in Liverpool Cathedral, and features a nativity scene. The Great East Window is a masterpiece by Douglas Strachan (1875-1950), the foremost Scottish designer of stained glass windows in the 20th century. Examples of his work can be seen at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle and The Scottish National War Memorial all in the Scottish capital, Bute Hall in Glasgow and Kilbrandon Church on the Isle of Seil.

Mercat Cross, a memorial to King Edward VII erected in 1913. — The Mercat Cross, a memorial to King Edward VII erected in 1913

Access

Address: St John's Place, Perth PH1 5SZ; Tel: 01738 633 192

Walk 15 minutes from Perth Station to reach the church.

The Perth Museum, Scotland. — The exterior of Perth Museum now housed in the former Perth City Hall building

Nearby

Near to the church is the excellent Perth Museum which displays the original Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny). Also close by is the Mercat Cross, a memorial to King Edward VII erected in 1913 and now outside the E entrance of St. John's Shopping Centre.