A
Short History of
St John the Baptist
Episcopal Church, Perth
20th Century Furnishings
During the twentieth century, many items of beauty have been added to the furnishings of St John’s:
- Altar Rails: these were paid for by subscription and dedicated at Easter 1911, in memory of Dean Rorison. They were designed by Heiton.
- Chancel Arch: also designed by Heiton and given in memory of Miss Isabella and Miss Mary Archer who had both taught in the Sunday School for over 50 years.
- Altar: consecrated in 1929, the Altar was given by Mrs Ross of Belwood, in memory of her husband William Ross, who died in 1926.
- Bishop’s Chair: in 1950 Mrs Gibb of Lundin Links gave the Bishops Chair which is some 200 years old.
- Lectern: the Eagle Lectern was presented by the Earl of Airlie in 1951 when his family chapel at Cortachy was being dismantled.
- Chapel: the Chapel under the South Gallery was dedicated on Remembrance Sunday 1951 as a War Memorial.
- Rector’s Stall: this was presented in 1954.
- Porch: this was reconstructed in 1951.
- Organ: the present organ was installed in 1971.
- Vestries: these, in the space occupied by the previous organ, have been in use since 1976.
- Windows: on the South Wall there is window in memory of Rosemary Anstice (nee Moncrieff). Other memorial windows are to be found in the Chapel and the Porch.
- Bell: this was acquired from Killin in 1972.
- Tapestry: new altar kneelers were made by members of the congregation in 1986, and in the following year new hassocks were sewn for the choir stalls and front pews. The magnificent tapestry of the Lamb of God, the St John the Baptist symbol, was embroidered and given to the church by Mrs Jean Bean. This now hangs beside the font.
- Church Room: through another very generous gift it was possible, in 1987, to have screens constructed to match those of the chapel and a new room provided for meetings.
These many gifts, and others, are eloquent testimony to the deep affection of many people throughout the years for their church.
In 1988 dry-rot was discovered in parts of the church and major roof repairs were required. An Appeal was launched with a target of £40,000. In the event over £50,000 was raised and in addition to the major repair work, the church was redecorated; the east wall had the plaster removed and the original stone was pointed; the whole church was re-carpeted; and a variety of other improvements made.
