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Edinburgh, Cowgate, St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church

Church (18th Century)

Site Name Edinburgh, Cowgate, St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church

Classification Church (18th Century)

Alternative Name(s) 40 High Street; Cowgate Episcopal Chapel; South Gray's Close

Canmore ID 52321

Site Number NT27SE 297

NGR NT 26123 73610

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/52321

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Edinburgh, City Of
  • Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District City Of Edinburgh
  • Former County Midlothian

Archaeology Notes

NT27SE 297.00 26123 73610

NT27SE 297.01 2611 7362 Manse

NT27SE 297.02 2610 7362 Garden; Trial Excavation

Built in 1772-4 as a 'qualified' Episcopal chapel; John Baxter Jr was the architect, William Wright the contractor. As first built, it was a large two-storey rectangle with a semi-octagonal apse and a tower with a domed belfry. The church was bought by the Roman Catholics in 1856. Pedimented W porch added in 1890, when the flanking ground floor windows were deepened. In 1898 the interior was realigned and a new sanctuary built to the N by J Graham Fairley. Front rebuilt by Reginald Fairlie in 1929. Flanking chapels of 1924-5; mortuary chapel at SE by Alexander McWilliam, 1921.

RCAHMS 1951; J Gifford, C McWilliam and D Walker 1984.

NT 2612 7361 St Patrick's, built in the 18th century, originally consisted of the current central area orientated E-W with the altar at the E end. Subsequent work saw extensions to the N and S, with the relocation of the main altar in the N extension. The chapel investigated was constructed to the NW of the original St Patrick's in the early 19th century. The area investigated in September 2003, c 3 x 1.5m, was intended to be 1.4m deep, but a wall and cobbled surface were discovered at a depth of approximately 0.5m.

No features or finds of significance were discovered, other than infilling and levelling deposits related to the 19th-century extension of St Patrick's chapel.

Archive to be deposited in the NMRS.

Sponsor: HS

G Ewart 2003

Architecture Notes

NT27SE 297.00 26123 73610

ARCHITECT: R Rowand Anderson 1870

Reginald Fairlie 1928 -facade and forecourt

James Graham Fairley 1899 -new Chancel

Altar piece painted by A. Runciman

See Historical File (1.12)

Activities

Publication Account (1951)

5. St. Patrick's Church, South Gray's Close (40 High Street).

Although the postal address is given as 40 High Street, this church faces the Cowgate as it stands near the foot of the E. side of South Gray's Close, on a site purchased from the Royal College of Physicians. Built between 1771 and 1774 to house the united congregations of three Episcopalian chapels, it was acquired for the Roman Catholic communion in 1856. As first laid out the building was oblong on plan with the major axis running N. and S., but an apse containing a Venetian window projected from the E. side. There were two tiers of windows on each side of the church, the lower ones having segmental heads while those above were round-arched. At either end there was to have been a portico, the one to the S. pillared and supporting a pediment, with a tower behind it; but by the time that the tower had been built funds had run out and the construction of the porticoes had consequently to be deferred. A S. portico in the form of a Renaissance façade has now been added to the fabric, and for the N. portico a second apse has been substituted. A porch has also been built out on the W. side. The building as a whole is plain, the tower (Fig. 11 [SC 1225709]) being the best part of it. Built of ashlar, this rises above the roof in two square tiers to an octagonal bell-chamber surmounted by a lead-covered dome and fleche. Within the bell-chamber once hung a bell from Holyrood (cf. p. 136), since removed to St. Paul’s, York Place. The church is equally plain inside, decoration being confined to the apses, where the altars stand. On the original apse there are six paintings; the subjects cannot be seen for want of light, but five of them are probably the original paintings by Runciman, a native artist, representing respectively The Ascension, Christ addressing the woman of Samaria, the return of the Prodigal, Moses, and Elijah. Above the gallery on the S. wall is a good contemporary organ.

RCAHMS 1951, visited c.1941

Excavation (1 September 2003 - 4 September 2003)

NT 2612 7361 St Patrick's, built in the 18th century, originally consisted of the current central area orientated E-W with the altar at the E end. Subsequent work saw extensions to the N and S, with the relocation of the main altar in the N extension. The chapel investigated was constructed to the NW of the original St Patrick's in the early 19th century. The area investigated in September 2003, c 3 x 1.5m, was intended to be 1.4m deep, but a wall and cobbled surface were discovered at a depth of approximately 0.5m.

No features or finds of significance were discovered, other than infilling and levelling deposits related to the 19th-century extension of St Patrick's chapel.

G Ewart 2003

Sponsor: Historic Scotland

Kirkdale Archaeology

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