the Church of Stobhall, about twenty miles distant, a view of the
exterior of which church is subjoined (Fig. 1475).[208] Stobhall and
Innerpeffray churches were both built by the same family of the
Drummonds, who adhered to the ancient faith, and successfully defied the
power of the reformed Church to cast down their monuments of idolatry,
as altars and other appendages of the ancient Church were termed.
The east gable at Innerpeffray is quite plain, with the exception of a
small niche, which probably held a figure. Besides the painted ceiling
already referred to, there are considerable traces of painting
throughout the interior, particularly on the east wall. Several
consecration crosses are also painted on various parts of the church.
From what has been said, it will be seen that this is a church of very
considerable interest and some almost unique peculiarities, and it is
unfortunate that it should be divided up with unseemly walls, and that
no effort should be made to preserve the painted work, of which so
little remains in Scotland. Were it put in the same condition as the
Church of Stobhall and as well cared for, it would be a circumstance for
which all who are interested in Scottish church architecture would be
grateful.
This church, which was a Collegiate one, was dedicated to the Blessed
Virgin, and was founded by Sir John Drummond, the first of Innerpeffray,
in 1508. In the account which follows (kindly supplied by Mrs. Birnie,
keeper of the Library) it appears that a church existed here in the
previous century, and indeed it is stated[209] that it is mentioned as
early as 1342. The existing building, however, was doubtless erected at
the period above mentioned.
“In 1483 the Church of Innerpeffray must have been in existence, as the
patronage is then conveyed by the Mercers to Lord Oliphant.
[Illustration: FIG. 1475.--Stobhall Church, from Courtyard.]
“One reason for considering the foundation of considerable antiquity is
the fact that the market held on the day of dedication (Lady-day) was
one of the great marts and one of the great holidays of Strathearn. (The
market was removed to Crieff about eighty years ago.) Institutions so
popular as this are generally found to have their origin in a remote
antiquity.... Its proximity also to the meeting point of the four Roman
roads, from Ardoch and the south, from Comrie and Loch Earn on the west,
from the Sma’ Glen on the north, and from Perth on the east, made it a
suitable centre.... Convenience of access and the popularity of Lady
Fair appear to confirm the remote date of the church, &c.
“John Freebairn, minister and preacher of the Gospel at Madderty
(1620-1657), who was connected with the Drummonds by marriage, in a
genealogical history of the House of Drummond, leaves on record the
following:--‘John, first Lord Drummond, having re-edified the Chapel of
Innerpeffray from the ground and erected it into a college for some few
prebendaries to pray for requiems for him and his house, ordained it to
be their burying-place for all time coming, and being near 80 years of
age he framed one of the most material and perfyte testaments that ever
I saw and syne closed his eyes and time togidder and was most honourably
interred at Innerpeffray, in the year 1519.’
“On 4th June 1507 the King confirmed in Mortmain the charter of John,
Lord Drummond, by which (for the souls of the King and Queen, for his
own soul and that of Elizabeth Lindesay, his wife, and the umquhile
Margaret Drummond, his daughter, &c.) he granted as a pure free almsgift
to four chaplains, to celebrate the divine offices for ever at the four
altars in the church, dedicated in honour of the Blessed Virgin, of
Innerpeffray, an annual income of forty marks from his lands of
Innerpeffray and Dunfallys, with houses, residences, and gardens to be
marked off and built for each, with the right to each of them of
obtaining necessary fuel in the Common Mure of Innerpeffray with four
sums for grasses and for one horse. In 1508 occurs the name of Walter
Drummond, the first Provost of Innerpeffray. Here was buried the second
Master of Drummond, who died before his grandfather, and left an infant
son, David, afterwards second Lord Drummond....
“The King, on 20th October 1581, confirmed the charter of William
Lindesay, provost or principal perpetual chaplain of the Church of the
Blessed Virgin Mary of Innerpeffray, in which with consent of Patrick,
Lord Drummond, patron of the said provostry, he demised to James
Drummond of Innerpeffray six acres of land, the Smithlands, &c. &c.,
reserving to the said provost one chamber (camera) only when he should
stay there.[210]... Four roundles or towers stood one at each corner of
the churchyard, and tradition says that these formed the residences of
the four chaplains.”