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The Origins of the Kirk
The
origins of the Kirk’s name go back to
the reign of King David in the 12th
century. The legend of the Holy Rood
tells of the king’s miraculous escape
from injury whilst riding in the forest
near Edinburgh Castle. He had gone
hunting on a holy day and was confronted
by a white stag, his horse threw him and
he fell stunned to the ground. When he
came to his senses he was holding a part
of the true Cross. In gratitude he
founded the monastery of the Holy Rood
(or cross). Its seal depicts a stag’s
head with a cross between its horns.
The
land where Grangemouth now stands was
controlled by the Abbey of Holy Rood
until the Reformation and from this the
Lord Lyon King of Arms granted the seal
of the Monastery of Holy Rood to be
included in the town’s Coat of Arms
around 1928.
The
Kirk’s stained glass windows – made in
the original way from coloured pieces of
old and new glass – depict, on the left
window, the earliest Christian symbol of
the fish, and on the right is the
pelican, symbol of the Lord’s
atonement. It is believed that, when
food is short, the female pelican will
tear open her breast to feed her young –
giving her life that they might live –
just as Jesus gave His life on the cross
for mankind.
The
church was opened and dedicated on 28th
June 1963 – providing a Church of
Scotland presence in the rapidly
expanding Bowhouse area.
The
new church had been given an historical
name, and, added to that, the bell
provided by the Church Extension
Committee, had first been cast in 1650 –
for Crathie Church – the Royal family’s
place of worship near Balmoral.
Old
and new have now merged seamlessly and
today KHR is a well-known landmark –
it’s unusual triangular design with a
cross at it’s apex – pointing members
and parish to the cross – reminding us
of it’s reason for being there – to
reach out and bring the people of the
parish in – to share the joy and peace
of knowing the love of a forgiving God
and then to tell others the Good News.
As you
come in to the church at the main door
you will see the embroideries on the
glass panels. Skilfully sewn by ladies
of the congregation and friends, they
depict the history of the church and the
town, together with Biblical symbols.
The
garden was planted in the Millennium
year with trees donated in memory of
loved ones and as thanks for life’s
blessings.
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