Ever wondered about the story behind these ancient stones of St Mungo’s Parish Church? St Mungo’s Parish Church stands as a testament to centuries of faith and community in Penicuik. Let’s step back in time and uncover the secrets held within these walls.
The story of St Mungo’s Parish Church begins long ago. References to the church date back to the 12th century. A record from 1296 mentions Walterus Edger. He was Persona Ecclesiae de Pemcok. This is believed to be the first definitive documented reference to both Penicuik and St Mungo’s Parish Church.
The ruins we see today are the remains of the pre-Reformation St Mungo’s Parish Church. Records show serving ministers dating from 1556. Imagine the sermons preached here. Think about the lives touched within these walls over the centuries.
In 1648, the Presbytery minutes reveal that the church and manse needed repair. Major rebuilding took place over the next ten years. Sir John Clerk added an aisle and built the Romanesque tower in 1743. This tower still stands today. It is a prominent feature of the landscape.
By the mid-18th century, St Mungo’s Parish Church had become too small. The congregation had outgrown the building. A new church was built. Sadly, the old church was left to ruin.
But this old church has more stories to tell. In 1680, John Anderson gifted a bronze bell to St Mungo’s Parish Church. He was a prominent Edinburgh merchant. This bell was used for centuries. In 1970, the bell needed repairs. Before the repairs could happen, it was stolen. Five years later, the police recovered it. The bell was repaired and rehung.
The vault on the tower’s ground floor was once used as a cell. In 1887, rogues and thieves were incarcerated here for the night. Imagine being held in this very spot.
Today, you can explore the churchyard and ruins. Take your time to examine the gravestones. Some are quite interesting and unique. Not much of the original church remains standing. The tower is the best-preserved part. It stands three stories high. The roof is mostly intact. Four arched windows point in each direction on the top floor.
The remainder of the church is in bad shape. Most walls are gone. Heaps of rubble lie towards the rear. Some memorials can still be seen in the remaining walls. Weathering makes reading the inscriptions difficult.
St Mungo’s Parish Church is more than just old stones. It is a place of history, resilience, and community. It stands as a reminder of the past. Take a moment to appreciate the stories etched into these stones.