Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling, Medieval parish church in Stirling, Scotland
The Church of the Holy Rude is a medieval parish church in Stirling featuring rounded Scots pillars, Gothic arches, and an oak-timbered roof constructed in the early 15th century. The building contains distinct sections: the nave was completed in 1414, the chancel finished around 1530, and the west tower rose to its present height through later additions.
The church was founded in 1129 during the reign of David I as a medieval parish foundation. A defining moment in its history came with the coronation of King James VI in 1567, conducted by the reformer John Knox.
This church is one of only a handful of active places of worship in the United Kingdom to have hosted a royal coronation ceremony. That distinction connects it to pivotal moments in Scottish royal history.
The building sits in central Stirling and is easily reached on foot from nearby streets. Since it functions as an active place of worship, visiting hours and access may vary depending on services and events taking place.
The walls bear visible marks from musket fire during the 1651 siege, when soldiers shot from Stirling Castle ramparts toward the church. These scars tell a story of the military violence that swept through the area.
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