Brechin Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brechin Cathedral |
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The Cathedral and Round Tower
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| Location | Church Lane, Brechin, Angus DD9 6JS |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Churchmanship | Reformed |
| History | |
| Founded | 13th Century |
| Dedication | Holy Trinity |
| Past bishop(s) | Bishop of Brechin |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Closed |
| Heritage designation | Category A listed building |
| Designated | 11 June 1971 |
| Style | Gothic |
| Closed | 2021 |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Presbytery of Angus |
Brechin Cathedral is a very old and important building in Brechin, Angus, Scotland. Even though it's called a "cathedral," it's actually a church of the Church of Scotland. This church is part of the Presbyterian faith. The building itself dates back to the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! It's known for its beautiful old architecture and a unique Round Tower right next to it.
Brechin Cathedral was built in the 1200s. It has a style called "Pointed," which is part of Gothic architecture. Over the years, the building has been changed and fixed up. In 1806, some changes were made that weren't very good. But then, in 1902, a big restoration project fixed many of those issues.
Today, you can still see parts of the original building. These include the western wall with its fancy window and a large square tower. Some of the main pillars and upper windows (called a clerestory) are also from the first building. The beautiful stained glass windows in the front part of the church are considered some of the best in Scotland.
The cathedral is a very important historic site. It is a "Category A listed building," which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture. The Round Tower next to it is also a "scheduled monument," meaning it's a nationally important ancient site.
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The Amazing Round Tower
Right next to Brechin Cathedral is a very special building called the Round Tower. It was built around the year 1000 AD, making it even older than the cathedral itself! This tower stands about 86 feet (26 meters) tall. At its base, it's about 50 feet (15 meters) around.
What Makes the Tower Special?
The top of the tower has an 18-foot (5.5-meter) hexagonal spire, which was added in the 1300s. Towers like this are quite common in Ireland, but in Scotland, there are only two examples: this one in Brechin and another in Abernethy. This makes the Brechin Round Tower very rare and important.
The way the tower was built is very impressive. The stone work is of very high quality. The entrance to the tower is a narrow doorway. It's raised several feet off the ground, which was common for these types of buildings. This doorway is also very detailed. It has two bands of small round decorations. Above the door, there's a carving showing the Crucifixion. The sides of the doorway have carvings of religious figures. One holds a shepherd's crook (a crosier), and the other holds a "T"-shaped staff.
Ancient Stone Carvings
Inside the cathedral, there are two other important stone carvings from the 11th century. One is called the 'Brechin hogback.' It's a type of grave marker that mixes old Celtic and Viking designs. It's the most detailed carving of its kind in Scotland. The other is 'St. Mary's Stone.' This stone has a circular border around a carving of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. This circular design is similar to one found on the Round Tower.
Brechin Cathedral Today
Brechin Cathedral was a working church for many centuries. However, in 2021, it held its last service as a church. The building officially closed its doors as a place of worship on November 28, 2021.
A New Future for the Cathedral
Even though it's no longer a church, the cathedral building has an exciting future. A group of people, led by Caroline Carnegie, Duchess of Fife, has formed a committee. Their goal is to take care of the cathedral and make it a central place for the community once again. They want it to be a hub for local people and for tourists visiting the area. This means the historic building will continue to be an important part of Brechin for years to come.
See also
- Bishop of Brechin
- Brechin
