St Patrick's from South Gray's Close, off Holyrood Road

Category

Library Item

Item no

51809

Title

St Patrick's from South Gray's Close, off Holyrood Road

Artist / maker

Magee, Gregg

Date

2021

Type

Digital image

St Patrick’s, in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, has a long and intriguing history. Built between 1771 and 1774 for the Scottish Episcopal Church, it was sold to a Presbyterian Congregation in 1818. When they moved to a building in Infirmary Street, they agreed to sell their redundant building to the Catholic Church.

It was bought by Bishop Gillis in 1856 to serve the growing number of Irish immigrants who had settled in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh. The cost of the new church was £4000. Half was paid for by the Church; the rest was raised by the people. Though they lived in poverty they were determined to raise money for a church of their own. St Patrick’s was officially opened as a Catholic church on Sunday 3rd August 1856 by Bishop Gillis. The congregation present was estimated at 2,600.

In 1898 a new sanctuary was built, extending outwards from the north wall, and a high altar was installed. In 1921 the mortuary chapel was erected as a memorial to the 320 men of the parish who had fallen in the Great War. In 1924 a new Lady Chapel was built and the following year a chapel dedicated to the Sacred heart. In 1929 a facade was added incorporating the statues of St Patrick and St Brigid in niches above the entrance. An impressive terrace and steps completed the design of the church and gave it the appearance we know today.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Railings

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Architecture > Architectural features > Tracery windows

Places > Edinburgh areas > Cowgate

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Plants > Trees > Trees

Religion > Religious facilities > Catholic churches

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