This is one on a series on the church buildings in our grouping – this week Inverkeithing Parish Church.
A Norman foundation, church dedicated to St Peter 1244. The present building is a nave and aisles church by Gillespie Graham 1827 attached to a 14th-century tower. Refurbished 1900 by P MacGregor Chalmers of which only chancel area and Burgh Council boxed pews remain. Fourteenth-century stone font, one of the finest in Scotland, thought to have been gifted by Robert III for the baptism of his son the Duke of Rothesay.
Inside the church there are several spectacular stained glass windows.
The mix of the old 14th century tower and new 19th century nave is a principle feature of the building. Does the old and new work well?
In the bible, old and new is mentioned in the parables, questioning putting new wine in old wineskins and repairing an old garment with new cloth – Luke 5: 36-39, Here Jesus challenges religious conservatism in words which are always relevant. Which of us has not been guilty of saying: “The old is better”. I think the message is deeper than this it is, it is saying Jesus’ message is transformative.