Church of St Mary the Virgin, Arbroath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary the Virgin's Church, Arbroath |
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| Denomination | Scottish Episcopal Church |
| Churchmanship | Central Episcopalian Tradition |
| Website | http://www.stmarysarbroath.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Brechin |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a special church building in Arbroath, Angus, Scotland. It belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is a Christian church in Scotland. This church is part of the Diocese of Brechin, which is like a local area for churches.
Contents
About the Church Building
When Was the Church Built?
The church building you see today is located on Springfield Terrace. It was built a long time ago, between 1852 and 1854. A famous architect named John Henderson from Edinburgh designed it. Later, in 1927, another architect, Robert Lorimer, added some beautiful wooden screens and panels inside the church.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church has a large main area called the nave, and a side section called the north aisle. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar, and a small side chapel.
One of the most noticeable parts of the church is its tower. The tower has a special pointed roof called a spire, which has small windows called lucarnes. This spire stands tall and is easy to spot on the Arbroath skyline. The church is built from a type of stone called snecked masonry and has a slate roof. Because of its historical importance, it was officially recognized as a Category B listed building in 1971. The house where the church's rector lives, also designed by Henderson, is a Category C listed building.
The church also has a large organ, which was made by a company called Blackett & Howden from Newcastle upon Tyne.
History of the Church Community
How the Congregation Started
The people who followed the Episcopal Church in Arbroath had to leave their original parish church in 1694. After that, they met in different meeting places around the town. Around 1760, a new group, called a "Qualified" congregation, was formed.
In 1806, the Episcopal and Qualified congregations joined together. They used to worship in the old Qualified chapel, which was also called St Mary's. This old church building was sold in 1859, after the current church was finished. Today, the St Ninian's United Free Church (which is no longer used) stands where the earlier St Mary's church used to be.
More Information
Where to Find Church Records
If you are interested in the history of St Mary's Church, its old records are kept at the University of Dundee Archives. They are part of the Brechin Diocesan Library Manuscripts collection.
Other Churches Nearby
- St Andrew's Parish Church, Arbroath (This is a Church of Scotland church)
- St John's Methodist Church, Arbroath
Online Resources
- The official website for St Mary's Church: http://www.stmarysarbroath.org.uk/
- Information about St Mary's Episcopal Church on Scottish Church Heritage Research
