WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

Menootanaboot; Discovery

Mac1 came to stay. Always a pleasure; in many ways, we are chalk and cheese, but in all things fundamental, we are our mother's daughters! This includes certain life philosophies and a sense of exploration in all avenues. We were blessed with two whole days of proper summer, and we made the most of them. Wednesday morning, while I prepared brunch, Mac1 took her morning run up Kilbride hill and into Bishop's Glen and came back with the news that the Episcopal church up there was open for visiting. This was interesting, as often churches in Scotland are not (without special purpose). After eating and ablutions, I packed a picnic lunch, as we had anyway planned to go over to Kilmun Arboretum, and we headed first to the church called Holy Trinity.


You can read the history of this church on that website link if it is of interest to you. Quite a chequered and determined history it is, too. We were interested very much in the architecture and windows. It must be said, there is a clear need for maintenance on the walls and roof of this building, for the damp is a serious issue. We considered that this is due, in large part, to the fact that the surrounding greenery has been allowed to take over somewhat, and this being a damp-drawing area anyway, cutting off air and light access is surely doing the place no service. You'll see from the bottom of the history write-up that a boast is made for the view over the Clyde... these days, you'd be hard pressed to know that you were anywhere near the shore, so overgrown is it! A shame, but I suppose, like so many such congregations, numbers and abilities are depleted. There was a serene feel within the church, though, and we were welcomed by one of the ladies of the congregation. The flowers were fresh, and the candles lit; depleted numbers do not mean lessened spirit!


(I'm not sure the fisheye effect did this any favours but makes a point of difference!) There was a simplicity of arrangement in the structure, yet the windows are truly wonderful and speak of 'money' being around at various times. I took many shots, of course, but you will have them rationed out. Here is just a wee teaser...

A section of the window to St Andrew. 

There is a quite magnificent font - somehow more of cathedral proportions than would be expected of a small rural church, it might be said. That said, I enjoyed its presence very much, being nearly as tall as me and crisply carved. Beside it is a small arrangement of chairs and candles and icons as a place of prayer, where we both took a few moments to reflect and add our wishes for World Peace and Universal Health...

Every little helps, yes?

At the west end of the building, there is an extension which currently houses tea-making facilities and storage. The floor is marked out with very fine ceramic tiles. Tiles are similarly impressive up by the altar. 

An interesting approach to the pulpit is that of what looks like a tower stairwell - I thought at first it was the entry to the belfry, but realised that was on the opposite (south) wall, locked and CCTVd. I do hear the bells on Sundays when the wind is in the right direction. There is a corresponding external entrance to that area, complete with boot swipe on the step.
































The original organ is replaced by a modern electric version, and sad to see that even what remains of the old one is deteriorating quite badly. 

There was quite a bit to explore externally, too... for which, come back next Thursday to see that and trees, many trees!

21 comments:

  1. A font almost as tall as you! It is lovely!

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  2. The fisheye effect is quite interesting. The stained glass is always a favorite with us.

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  3. Never heard of chalk and cheese.
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  4. that is wonderful... and a good way to remember the men of hms curlew for ever and ever

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  5. chalk and cheese is new to me and I may be using it, i usualy say black and white or night and day, this sounds good to me. my only sibling, my brother and I are chalk and cheese also. i like the fish eye because it allows us to view side to side. very intersting view of it. it is a lovely old church, and even her decay is beautiful. looking forward to all those trees.

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  6. Is there a possibility the font came from an older, larger, ecclesiastical establishment of some description? The tile work is lovely .... on the subject of tiles it leads nicely into our planned Friday Fiction. Fz & Pz Mr T (and F)

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    1. Hari Om
      One might have expected the history on the website to mention if this was the case. No, I rather think it was due to donations by big money men from Glasgow and other connections (note one 'subscriber' was William Gladstone - prime minister!) Yxx

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    2. Strange, isn't it, how 'benefactors' can sometimes get stuff so out of proportion. Simplicity in a place of spiritual contemplation strikes me as a desireable thing (NB F was brought up in a Presbytarian tradition), but I acknowledge there is a fine line between simplicity and austerity. On the other hand the exhibitionist 'to the glory of God' stuff that some creeds go in for borders on idolatry (and risks creating vertile ground for corruption).

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  7. Hi Yam - much history and a delight to see - looking forward to more. The pulpit is impressive isn't it ... and good to see the ambience is being kept up. I love the tiles ...

    Chalk and Cheese - what is worthless and what is valuable. However if you forgive me - I'll quote from Brewer's:

    Scott: Woodstock xxiv: Scott's novel The Cavalier. A Tale of the Year Sixteen Hundred and Fifty-one (1826) is a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, one of the Waverley novels.

    To quote: "This Scotch scarecrow was no more to be compared to him than chalk was to cheese."

    Thank you for indulging me! - cheers Hilary

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  8. Ohhhh Eyefish effect was quite interesting. Until I read on I thought maybe the photo was of a archway and wondered How YAM did that!!
    Beautiful church
    Hugs Cecilia

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  9. What beautiful features this church has. We can't wait to see more of it.

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  10. Excellent tour of the local church.Looking forward to the arboretum next week too.
    Cheers, Gail (now back in Aberdeen after a few days in Torridon where the internet broadband was behaving particularly erratically...)

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  11. What a lovely visitation! Glad you are having an outing. XX

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  12. I agree, a wonderful tour indeed! Love the floors and all the nooks and crannies!

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  13. What a beautiful church!

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  14. Say hi to Mac1 for us! What a lovely find. Religion has been on Lady's mind this week as the Pope is here to apologize for the catholic church's role in genocide here in Canada. And while Lady's feelings about it all are layered and complex, she says the beauty in the art of the church never ceases to amaze her. Lee and Phod

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  15. Gorgeous church--wow! And that is one gorgeous stained glass window!

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  16. A church with a history! But then quite many of them have much to tell.

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  17. Though chalk and cheese, I am sure there are some shared interests between you two. And glad to see you had plenty of time together and make the best of the summer had on offer.
    That church architecture looks fabulous. I am always enamoured by it. There is so much of alluring charm to it.

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  18. What a lovely place to find to explore. Mac1 was on it! Thank you for taking time to snap photos and share! namaste, janice, xx

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