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John Knox As Keystone, Aberdeen

With serene and pious expectation John Knox in Geneva Cap awaits in vain a congregation no longer there. This fine carved head sits above the main doorway of the church in Gerrard Street. Despite the signage Knox can't be described as a Street Baptist, more a Street Fighter. Literally and metaphorically Knox is keystone to the building; holding up theologically what was once Gerrard Street Free Church (now Baptist premises). Designed by George Coutts from original plans by Daniel Macandrew the church was opened for worship on 4 February 1900, replacing a more modest structure of 1844. At the time the largely working class congregation was described as "douce sensible folk". This is a grand piece of architecture which sits where was once tenemental and industrial properties, on the eastern side of the city, a far cry from the swish villas further west. The head was probably carved in the yard of Arthur Taylor of Aberdeen.

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Uploaded on December 21, 2015
Taken on December 21, 2015