The History of Broughton McDonald Parish Church
The church itself was founded by the followers of the Reverend James Hall, whose rapidly growing Secession congregation outgrew its earlier premises in Rose Street during the opening decades of the nineteenth century. Furthermore, opposition to the system of patronage within the established Church of Scotland led many ministers and congregations to separate, forming independent Presbyterian denominations that emphasised the authority of scripture, evangelical preaching, and the rights of individual congregations. In 1820, six years prior to the establishment of Lyon & Turnbull, construction began on a new church in Broughton Place to the designs of the distinguished architect Archibald Elliot. Completed the following year, the building remains one of Edinburgh’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture. Its monumental Ionic portico, restrained classical detailing, and harmonious proportions reflected the architectural ideals of the New Town, where elegance was achieved through balance rather than ornament. In 1821 the congregation entered its impressive new church on Broughton Place.
Communion Seasons in the Scottish Presbyterian Church
Within this elegant setting, the communion cups became an essential part of Presbyterian worship. Unlike Anglican churches, where communion was celebrated frequently at the altar, Scottish Presbyterians traditionally observed the Sacrament only a handful of times each year. These Communion Seasons were among the most important occasions in the religious calendar, often lasting several days and drawing worshippers from neighbouring congregations. The Communion wear would have been carefully prepared before each service and distributed amongst the elders as they served the congregation seated at long communion tables arranged throughout the church.
Broughton Place Church in Edinburgh's Cultural History
The Church has been an iconic setting in Edinburgh throughout its history and was even used in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, where Eric Liddell the Olympic athlete took to the pulpit to deliver his sermon.
Lyon & Turnbull's Bicentenary and the Broughton Place Communion Silver
As Lyon & Turnbull celebrates its bicentenary in 2026, these communion cups offer a fitting reflection on two centuries of Edinburgh’s cultural and commercial heritage. Created for a congregation at the heart of the city’s expanding New Town, they have survived alongside the remarkable institutions that have shaped Scotland’s artistic and historical landscape. Their preservation echoes Lyon & Turnbull’s own long-standing commitment to documenting, researching, and bringing to market objects of national importance. Two hundred years after the firm’s foundation, these cups continue to tell the story of faith, craftsmanship, and community, reminding us that the most enduring works of Scottish history are often those that remained in continuous use, quietly serving generations.
