Priory Church, South Queensferry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Priory Church |
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 Priory Church
Location in Edinburgh
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| 55°59′27″N 3°23′54″W / 55.9909°N 3.3982°W | |
| Location | South Queensferry, Edinburgh |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Scottish Episcopal Church |
| Previous denomination | Carmelite, Church of Scotland |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Mary of Mount Carmel |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Category A listed building |
| Designated | 22 February 1971 |
| Architect(s) | Seymour and Kinross (restoration) |
| Style | 15th-century Gothic |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Edinburgh |
The Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel, often called the Priory Church, is a historic church in South Queensferry, Scotland. It's close to Edinburgh. This church belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church. It was built a long time ago, in the mid-1400s, for a group of monks called the Carmelites.
For a while, it was the main church for the local area. Later, it became quite old and needed repairs. In 1890, it was fixed up and opened again. Today, it's special because it's the only medieval Carmelite church still used in the British Isles. It's also a very important historic building, known as a Category A listed building.
Contents
A Look at the Priory Church's Past
The Carmelite monks started their community in Queensferry in 1330. We know that in 1457, a man named James Dundas gave land to the Carmelites. This land was for them to build a monastery, which is where monks live and work.
Changes After the Reformation
After the Scottish Reformation in 1560, the monastery went back to the Dundas family. The church then became the main church for the local people. In the 1600s, a new church was built. The people moved out of the Carmelite church in 1635. From 1633, the church became a burial place for the Dundas family.
Restoration and Reopening
Over time, the church building was used for different things. Its condition got worse. Some parts of the monastery were pulled down, including the nave in 1875. Architects Henry Seymour and John Kinross worked to restore the church. They finished their work in 1889. The next year, in 1890, the church was officially reopened for the Scottish Episcopal Church. More repair work was done in 2000 to keep the church in good condition.
Understanding the Church Building
The church building you see today includes the choir, the tower, and the south transept of the original Carmelite church. The nave, which was a long hall, was to the west of the tower until it was taken down in 1875. In 1937, a small porch was added to the west side of the tower.
The part that was once the choir is now used as the main area for the church services (the nave). The south transept is used as the baptistery, where baptisms take place. The tower originally had three levels. There are no remains of the other monastery buildings. These were thought to be north of the church. No old remains were found during digs in the 1970s.
