On the 1st of January 1493, King James 1V granted a charter confirming arrangements which included a small chapel on the north side of the new bridge across the Water of Leith. This was the beginning of North Leith as a parish church. This book has been written to mark this 500th anniversary. It provides a fascinating insight into the life and times of the church and parish over five centuries that saw dramatic changes in the overall life of the Church and State. The story it tells will be of interest to all-whether "Leithers" or not. The author Dr James S Marshall, is himself a minister, now retired, and an acknowledged expert on the history of Leith, about which he has written several books including The Life and Times of Leith (1986).