Greyfriars Sisters of Mercy Convent in Elgin facts for kids
St. Sylvester Church and the monastery, Elgin
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Mercy Convent |
| Order | Franciscans, later Sisters of Mercy |
| Established | 1479, 1898 |
| Disestablished | 1559 |
| Dedicated to | Saint Sylvester |
| Diocese | Aberdeen |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Alexander II of Scotland |
| Site | |
| Location | Elgin, Moray |
The Greyfriars Sisters of Mercy Convent is a special place in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. It is one of the few Catholic monasteries built in Scotland after the Scottish Reformation in 1560. This important building has a long history, changing hands and purposes many times over the centuries.
Contents
A Long History of the Convent
The Greyfriars Sisters of Mercy Convent stands on a very old site.
The First Monastery
In 1479, a Franciscan monastery was built here. It was on the same spot where an even older Franciscan monastery once stood. That first monastery was started by a Bishop named John Innes of Innes. The Franciscans are a group of religious people called friars. They were brought to Scotland by King Alexander II in the 1200s. They settled in Elgin in the 1400s.
Changes After the Reformation
In 1559, during the Scottish Reformation, the Franciscan monastery was taken over by the government. This meant it was no longer used by the church. In the 1500s, the buildings were used as a court and a place for business. Later, in 1648, the monastery became a home for the King family. They lived there for 120 years. During this time, the church building became an Episcopal church. In 1818, the Stewart family bought the residence.
The Sisters of Mercy Arrive
In 1891, the Sisters of Mercy bought the old, ruined monastery buildings. They also bought the St. Sylvester Church. From 1896 to 1908, the buildings were repaired and made new again. This was possible thanks to money from John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquis of Bute and his son Colum Crichton-Stuart. An architect named John Kinross designed the restoration work.
On October 4, 1898, a Catholic Mass was held in the church. This was the first Catholic Mass there since the Reformation. For many years, until the early 2000s, the Sisters of Mercy ran a kindergarten and a primary school at the convent. Today, the monastery is home to the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia.
See also
- Catholic Church in Scotland
- List of monastic houses in Scotland
