The Joy of St Peter’s
First, a warning:
A lot of what you read here may surprise you. On the surface, it sounds unbelievable. How could something so traditional as a historic church surprise anyone? It is easy to walk by, you know the scenario.
A show with heavy marketing, laden down with posters, guided me South.
Especially during the Edinburgh Festival with so much information to take in, this is a score. In such a buyers’ market the theatregoer is often asking what is the value of this experience to me? I just wasn’t sure I was going to find it in a Church.
I am in a rush to pack in more in my last full day here.
It was my last fling before I take the tram back to the airport. There was something on the walls of the Theatre space that is not always there. This was seen differently because things viewed during the Edinburgh Fringe scan differently to year round use.
Different text shows me that here was something different
Opening up to a different me, I let go of the ‘festival goer’ mentality where I take things literally and become wise to the blurb behind the big letters on the wall and consider a wider community. In spite of the performers’ need to entertain, an engaged audience is the best evangelist of ideas. They converse with others, influence the success of the words and are the best interpreter of literature with meaning inside it.
Having enjoyed a few plays already at ‘C South’ Theatre something holds me back from leaving it.
Even in the cold evening it is worth putting on a thick layer on, as I see others do, and just enjoy the calm of the courtyard. There is a special moment with a great view of Arthur’s seat behind the church. It is a part of Holyrood Park that is less visited.
‘And Abraham ran to the herd, and brought a calf tender and good, and gave it to the young man then hastened to prepare it.’
Genesis 18, 7
The posters on the notice boards began to tell a different story.
The images were of stories from the bible and this was compelling. Around me the venue being used as C South theatre is a thriving church and the synergy worked in an unexpected way. The promise of a donation from a wealthy benefactor inspired the design of marble pillars. There is an incredible uplifting feeling in the building. The Church has a garden which invites tranquillity and references the green meditation lawns of Physic Gardens. Magic is brought to the garden this Summer as it used as a canvas for staging ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ easing us out of our modern day consciousness. Inside the Church the Choir sings Tudor compositions as part of their service.
‘Above all else guard your heart’
Proverbs 4, 26
I found my audience, I just didn’t imagine I would be part of it and it would be a congregation.
Progress links the story of the Church to the growth of the Fringe. As the number of companies coming to Edinburgh increase in size, the boundaries of the Fringe circuit grows with 3 other venues setting up this year in close distance to the Church. St Peter’s was founded to provide a place of worship for the growing parishioners of St Paul’s Episcopal Church of Edinburgh’s city centre.
I consider the bumpy tram ride home.
With the high volume of new shows sold at the door of Edinburgh venues there are a lot of posters on the road side to catch the attention; it can feel like a lottery. It is great to be a fresh pair of eyes finding an unexpected treasure of a Church and finding a hall housing new stories. As I am ushered out of my final show I learn how a flowing warm community is moving. Unlike a traditional performance space it does not feel empty after the final curtain.
Aspirational buildings of faith shake visitors out of disconnectedness by sharing beauty.
The South of the city offers a better chance of reflection and a close connection to Scottish history during the busy Festival. The Geometric church is by William Slater 1857-65 and the organ is by Frederick Holt 1865. There are stained glass windows in the chancel windows by Clayton & Bell 1865. The spire is 80ft, the wooden panels are detailed with patterns and the light fades from the stained glass window. The bold use of red with a stencilled decoration of golden keys in a diamond pattern gives back richness to the inside of the building as darkness falls. What holds you back keeps you strong, even when it’s time to go.
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Edinburgh Fringe hits a brand new direction every year.
In being transported by classical architecture whilst seeking entertainment I have seen the power of the secular use of religious buildings to further the cause of contemplation and community and I am curious about your views. Whilst heading home and seeing Edinburgh in the rear view mirror is often sad, it is suddenly good news to be heading South. Next year I will bring a friend.
Join my garden guide fact sheet here
This post is prose fashioned into the shape of a Tanka to join the selection of Tankas here Enjoy Tankas from other authors here:
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lita doolan productions 
Fabulous photography, and compelling article. Enjoyed it completely.
Dawnasong
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Thank you for this hearty encouragement. The Church moved me so much it was hard to leave!
I just had a great visit to your site. In your post I found such wise insights about education, it spells out a lot of hope for the next generation!
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Those proverbs were something. Touched my heart. And the photography looks amazing too Lita 🙂
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Good point, Proverbs seem to always have wisdom to offer! I am so glad that I managed to pick some inspiration out of the Church that conveys the joyful spirit. Thanks for saying this!
Thankfully the sun was shining for the photos, it makes a good shot so much easier!! 😀
Looking forward to enjoying more uplifting upbeat visuals in your next post!
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Oh I guess the sun makes everything perfect, Doesn’t it !
That is why photographs looked amazing. 🙂
It was my pleasure to read from you 🙂
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You are so fortunate to be able to see and feel historical sites.
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I honestly didn’t look at it that way! Yes you are right. I did run into this beauty of church by accident and it just grabbed me! As soon as the Choir started singing I was gone 😉
I do gaze in awe at the speed you create something 3D out of a flat piece of fabric. If we had been in the same dressmaking class at school I would have been offering you chocolate to trade your help so I could finish my projects on time.;-) I still have a half done apron from 20 years ago!!! haha This Winter I may crack on because it looks like new. I follow your projects and each one is an item of beauty.
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Thank you. I would love to see that apron of 20 years ago. And I would have gladly taken the chocolate. Take care.
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😀
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Pingback: Remember Me [TANKA] | Ramisa the Authoress
Your photos are beautiful and I’ve always loved the scripture “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun.” Ecclesiastes has always provide a wonderful perspective on life. Vanity of vanities! 🙂
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I loved seeing the verses when I least expected to, whilst waiting for a theatre show, it helped me see them fresh. Thanks for your wise take on them. I am loving the creativity of your fiction and the new worlds you carve.
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Lita – What a wonderful way to “seek entertainment”, embraced and surrounded by history and classical architecture, not to mention the living art that comes out of the church itself. Your photos are stunning! Thank you for sharing!
Warm wishes,
Pepper
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Pepper
So lovely to hear your thoughts! Thank you for your connection which is so valued and appreciated. It was great to chance upon this building, it had such hidden beauty.
Your latest gem ‘Loss Objectified’ is moving, with such a telling detail.
Here’s to a great Autumn of blogging (I can already feel a chill in the air although we have had a sunny September so far)
All regards
Lita
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Lita, I’m so jealous that you can feel a chill in the air, it’s still so very hot here. I’m definitely looking forward to your upcoming posts, and what autumn will bring.
Warm wishes,
Pepper
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Beautifully captured and memerizing in imagery. Thank you.
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Thank you Paula! It’s so great to connect with you. I loved you poetry and it means a lot you liked this and got the atmosphere I was trying to convey.
Here’s to the ongoing success of your creative Cafe.
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totally hooked in by this post!
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Thanks so much! I am glad because I was hooked by the building, it has such presence.
Lovely to hear from you. Here’s to a great week ahead.
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Yes. Hoping the week is calm yet eventful in a good way 😉
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