While the number of items to see are fairly limited, there are some beautiful examples of church embroidery displayed, which were enthusiastically and knowledgably described by the guides.
Tracing its original roots back to the Jacobite period, the most recent incarnation of this church comes from the latter part of the 19th century – coinciding with the Catholic revival, and the growth of the Oxford Movement.
This was reflected in the exquisite selection of vestments displayed, though not many had much antiquity. I suppose it is different in, say, England, and obviously also in the Catholic Church – where much older examples of comparable vestments are fairly familiar and common.
The handouts on offer were really well-thought through – even for those less acquainted with high-church worship, there was a real attempt to inform the visitor in an informative but unpatronising way. The helpers on hand were there to provide deeper information for those who might have had a specific interest.
There was some beautiful needlework and handiwork to see – both in its own right, but also in terms of learning about the history. One fascinating dimension to come out of the visit was how careful predecessors had been in lifting the embroidery or orphreys from older sets of vestments to adorn other subsequent items – which were either newer, or in need of some substantial restoration.
As is sometimes the case throughout history, sadly some of the provenance of the objects has now been lost. There are indeed several items that predate the church, but which had been acquired and gifted by former Rectors or church members.
One of the elements of this exhibition that made a real impact was the depth of devotion and dedication that had been invested in ensuring that the ‘beauty of holiness’ would be treasured, preserved and continued.
This is event is well worth a visit – to see the exhibition, and to experience the unique atmosphere of this wonderful Edinburgh church.
Tuesday 12th August – Wednesday 13th August: 10.00am – 4.00pm on both days | Free entry
Discovering the Fabric of Faith, Tuesday 12thAugust 2025, Old St Paul’s Church