Seton Collegiate Church facts for kids
The Seton Collegiate Church, also known as Seton Chapel, is a very old church located south of Port Seton in East Lothian, Scotland. It stands right next to where Seton House used to be. This church is so important that it's protected as a special historic site called a scheduled monument.
What Does Seton Church Look Like?
Seton Collegiate Church has a special shape, like a cross. It has the main eastern part and two side sections called transepts. There's also a tower where the parts of the cross meet, but it was never finished. The church was meant to have a long main hall (called a nave), but it was never built.
The walls of the main eastern part were built by 1478 and had a roof by 1508. The side sections were added later, between 1513 and 1588. This means the eastern part stood alone for at least 35 years! In 1492, the church became a "collegiate church," which meant it had a group of priests living and working there.
Inside the church, you can see two old statues of people, called effigies. They are from the 1400s. One is a man, and the other is a woman. The woman's statue is quite damaged, and it might even be older than the 1400s.
Just southwest of the church, you can see the old foundations of buildings. These were once homes for the priests and other staff who worked at the church.
A Church Through History
During a time of war known as the Rough Wooing, the English army took over a nearby town called Haddington. Because of this, the Seton family, who owned the church, had to move away. In 1549, George Seton, 6th Lord Seton died while living at Culross Abbey. After the war ended, his wife, Marie Pieris, brought his body back to Seton. He was buried in the church next to his father.
Today, Historic Environment Scotland looks after the church. It's a popular place for tourists and has a 4-star rating! In the churchyard, you can also see pieces of stone from the old Seton Palace, which was a large house next to the church that was torn down a long time ago.
Photo Gallery
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Seton Collegiate Church from a distance.
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A closer look at the church's architecture.
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The entrance to Seton Chapel.
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Inside the historic church.
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Details of the church's interior.
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Another view inside Seton Collegiate Church.
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The ancient stone walls.
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A different angle of the church's exterior.
