The annexed sketch (Fig. 1537) shows the old pulpit of St. Cuthbert’s
Church as it stood in St. Cuthbert’s Poorhouse, Lothian Road, Edinburgh,
before that building was removed in 1868. It appears[233] that when St.
Cuthbert’s Church was demolished in 1773, the pulpit was transferred to
the Poorhouse. Its date can be pretty well ascertained. From a minute of
the kirk-session of 15th August 1651, we find that Cromwell’s soldiers
had so completely sacked the church that there was “nayther pulpit,
loft, nor seat left therein,” all doors and windows having been broken,
and the roof by cannon shot completely ruined. Steps were immediately
taken to repair the damage, and in April 1652 the church was reopened
for public worship. This pulpit was doubtless made between the above
dates, and its style is characteristic of the time. It is of oak, and
probably in the old church it stood on a loftier base than is shown in
the sketch.