History of Coldstream Church
The first Church on this High Street site was built in 1705. The current Parish Church retains the original stone ‘pepperpot’ tower from that first building which is still a distinctive feature of the Coldstream skyline. The rest of today’s Church was built during the first decade of the 20th century, a period characterised by simpler Church buildings with beautiful stone pillars and plenty of light. The Church as it is today was opened in 1908.
Colours and Stained Glass Windows
The King’s and Regimental Colours of the Coldstream Guards were presented to
Coldstream Parish Church in 1921 and hang in the chancel.
A much more recent addition to the Church is the circular Flodden Window above the north door, gifted
by The Flodden 1513 Club and installed in March 2009. The 500th Anniversary of the Battle of Flodden -
which took place four miles away at Branxton - was commemorated in September 2013.
The five stained glass windows in the Parish Church are all beautiful, and a quiet walk round the Church is very informative.
Coldstream Free Bible Press
In the early 1840s, the printing of Bibles in Scotland was monopolised by two private individuals and Bibles were very expensive to buy.
The minister of Coldstream Parish Church, Rev. Adam Thomson, was appalled by this state of affairs and set about breaking the monopoly.
With his own money he started the “Coldstream Free Bible Press” to print and sell cheap Bibles. At a stroke the cost of purchasing Bibles in Scotland halved.
In 1845 over 178,000 Bibles were printed in Coldstream and sold in Scotland. In its heyday the Coldstream Free Bible Press employed more than 100 people at its premises in Bookie Lane, off the Market Square. Unfortunately, Adam Thomson became bankrupt when the Bible Society in England flooded the market with even cheaper Bibles. Although he was completely successful in his aim of reducing the cost of Bibles for ordinary people, he and the Manse family were reduced to poverty. Such was the regard in which he was held that a testimonial of £3000 was presented to him by well-wishers so that he and the Manse family were provided for. There were four editions of the Coldstream Bible: a pocket Bible, a school Bible, a large print edition, and a Family Bible. A Coldstream Free Bible Press Bible is on show in a display case near the main door, and a Family Bible is also available for viewing.