The John Knox Statue
The statue, designed by William Warren was of John Knox wearing his Geneva gown with his right arm half extended and holding a Bible in his right hand. The statue was placed on a 58 ft (17.78m) sandstone Doric column and base designed by an Edinburgh architect, Thomas Hamilton*. The self taught sculptor Robert Forrest** carved the statue in sandstone.
Interestingly, and perhaps surprisingly, this was the first statue of John Knox to be erected in Scotland and the building of it created enormous public interest. Knox was not buried below this memorial, but under what is now an Edinburgh car park!
On 22nd September 1825, upwards of 300 subscribers met in the Trades Hall and walked in procession, followed by a great number of clergymen of different denominations, to St George’s Church which was already crowded. A service was held with the sermon given by the well known preacher of that time, Rev Dr Chalmers, minister of the Tron Church. The sermon was described by William McGavin (known as “The Protestant”, who has his own memorial in Glasgow Necropolis) as “brilliant, nervous and powerful,- learned in historical research, elegant in style,- and delivered with all the impressiveness of impassioned eloquence”. McGavin then goes on to report “The interest shown in this ceremonial was of no ordinary nature; the streets through which the procession passed were so crowded that it was with difficulty the subscribers could move along. Every window was filled with spectators, and the house-tops were in full requisition. When the procession had reached the Necropolis grounds, and commenced its progress to the summit through the winding walks skirted with young planting, the scene was truly magnificent. In looking down to the churchyard (Glasgow Cathedral), the eye beheld probably ten thousand persons, whose continued shouts of approbation rent the air. To the most uninformed spectator, the sight must have been interesting; but to him who could bring into recollection the many transactions which had taken place in that venerable edifice, previous to the Reformation, and since that ever-memorable period, the scene was grand beyond description”. This report was written by McGavin a few years after the event, hence his use of the word ‘Necropolis’ rather than ‘Fir Hill’ or Fir ‘Park’.
The foundation stone was laid by Dr McGill who then gave an address to the Committee of Management which was followed by an address to the Subscribers by James Ewing to thank them and all the professionals involved in the project. In the evening, there was a celebration dinner held at which James Ewing acted as croupier (master of ceremonies) and made another speech.
John Knox Statue
Around all four sides of the base are inscriptions, some of which are now weather worn and hard to read. The following are transcripts
On the west side.
To testify Gratitude for inestimable Services
in the Cause of Religion, Education, and Civil Liberty;
To awaken Admiration
Of that Integrity, Disinterestedness, and Courage,
Which stood unshaken in the midst of Trials,
And in the Maintenance of the highest Objects; Finally,
To Cherish unceasing Reverence for the Principles and
Blessings of that Great Reformation,
By the influence of which our Country, through the
Midst of Difficulties,
Has arisen to Honour, Prosperity, and Happiness.This monument is Erected by Voluntary Contribution
To the Memory of
John Knox;
The Chief Instrument under God, of the Reformation in Scotland,
on the 22nd Day of September 1825.
He died rejoicing in the faith of the Gospel at Edinburgh,
On the 24th November A. D. 1572, in the 67th year
Of his Age.
On the south side
The Reformation produced a revolution in the sentiment of mankind the greatest as well as the most beneficial that has happened since the publication of Christianity.
In 1547 and in the city where his Friend George Wishart had suffered, John Knox, surrounded with dangers, first preached the doctrines of the Reformation. In 1557 on the 24th of August, the Parliament of Scotland adopted the Confession of Faith presented by the Reformed Ministers, and declared popery to be no longer the religion of this kingdom.
John Knox became then a Minister of Edinburgh, where he continued to his death, the incorruptible guardian of our best interests.
I can take God to witness, he declared, that I never preached in contempt of any man and Wise men will consider, that a true friend cannot flatter; especially in a case that involves the salvation of the bodies and souls, not of a few persons, but of a whole realm. When laid in the grave, the Regent said, there lieth He who never feared the face of man; who was often threatened with dag and dagger, yet hath ended his days in peace and honour.
On the north side
Patrick Hamilton, a youth of high rank and distinguished attainments was the first Martyr in Scotland for the cause of the Reformation He was condemned to the flames at St. Andrews in 1582, and the twenty-fourth year of his age.From 1530 to 1540, persecution raged in every quarter; many suffered the most cruel deaths, and many fled to England and the continent.
Among these early Martyrs, were Jerome Russell and Alexander Kennedy, two young men of great piety and talents, who suffered at Glasgow in 1538. In 1544 George Wishart returned to Scotland from which he had been banished, and preached the gospel in various quarters. In 1546, this heavenly-minded man, the friend and instructor of Knox, was also committed to the flames at St. Andrews.
John Knox Statue and Column
Notes
*Thomas Hamilton’s other work included:
Ayr Town Hall;
Dean Orphan Hospital, now Dean Gallery, Belford Rd, Edinburgh;
Royal High School, Carlton Hill, Edinburgh;
King George IV bridge which spans the Cowgate, Edinburgh
**Robert Forrest was born in Carluke, Lanarkshire and originally was a stone mason working in Orchard, near Lanark. His other sculptures included:
The statue of William Wallace in Lanark;
The statue of Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville (1742-1811),
St Andrew’s Square, Edinburgh
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The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis were delighted to welcome a direct descendant of Robert Forrest to Glasgow Necropolis for a tour sponsored by the Block Festival on 12th October 2005.
Extract from Peter Fleming's 1807 map of Glasgow showing the Cathedral, Molendinar burn, Fir Hill, the quarry and Tennent’s brewery
On the east side
Among the early and distinguished friends of the Reformation should be especially remembered, Sir James Sandilands of Calder, Alexander Earl of Glencairn, Archibald Earl of Argyll, and Lord James Stewart, afterwards known by the name of the Good Regent John Erskine of Dun, and John Row, who were distinguished among the Reformed Ministers for their cultivation of ancient and modern literature Christopher Goodman and John Willock, who came from England to preach the gospel in Scotland and John Winram, John Spottiswood, and John Douglas, who with John Row, and John Knox, compiled the first Confession of Faith, which was presented to the Parliament of Scotland: And also the first Book of Discipline.
(N.B. John Erskine of Dun, 1508-1589, Superintendent of Angus and Mearns, was a 7 x Great Grandfather of James Ewing)