St David's Church, Dalkeith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St David's Church |
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Front entrance
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 St David's Church
Location in Midlothian
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| 55°53′27″N 3°04′33″W / 55.8908°N 3.0758°W | |
| OS grid reference | NT328669 |
| Location | Dalkeith, Midlothian |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | StDavidsDalkeith.co.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 1853 |
| Founder(s) | Cecil Chetwynd Kerr, Marchioness of Lothian |
| Dedication | Saint David of Scotland |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Category A listed |
| Designated | 18 October 1976 |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Hansom |
| Groundbreaking | 1853 |
| Completed | 21 May 1854 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | St David's East and Midlothian |
| Archdiocese | St Andrews and Edinburgh |
| Province | St Andrews and Edinburgh |
St David's Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Dalkeith, Scotland. It's a special building that was started in 1854. A kind lady named Cecil Chetwynd Kerr, Marchioness of Lothian, helped create it. The church was designed by an architect named Joseph Hansom. It's considered a very important building, listed as 'Category A'.
Contents
The Story of St David's Church
How the Church Began
St David's Church was founded by Cecil Chetwynd Kerr, the Marchioness of Lothian. She was a very religious person. She had already helped build another church in Jedburgh. After she became Catholic in 1851, Lady Lothian wanted to build a church for the Catholic people in Dalkeith.
The famous architect Joseph Hansom designed the church. Building work started in 1853. The church officially opened its doors on May 21, 1854. A priest named Fr Mackay was the first leader of the church community.
Changes Over Time
In 1858, Fr Mackay was replaced by Fr J. S. McCorry. Two years later, in 1860, Lady Lothian invited a group of priests called the Society of Jesus to help lead the church.
Lady Lothian, the church's founder, passed away in 1877 while on a religious trip to Rome. However, her body was brought back and buried right inside St David's Church, near the altar.
The Society of Jesus priests continued to serve the church for many years. In 1944, they left the parish. Since then, the church has been looked after by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
Life at the Church Today
Mass Times and Services
St David's Church holds two Sunday Masses each week. One is on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM. The other is on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. There are also weekday Masses. These happen at 9:00 AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Other Churches in the Area
The church community also includes St Luke and St Anne Church. This church is located in Mayfield, Midlothian. It was started in 1948, and its current building was completed in 1971.
St Luke and St Anne Church has a Sunday Mass at 9:30 AM. Weekday Masses are held there at 9:00 AM on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Connecting with St David's School
St David's Church has a close connection with St David's School. The school first opened in the same year as the church, 1854.
In 1876, a group of nuns called the Sisters of Mercy came from Edinburgh. They took over the teaching at the school. The Sisters of Mercy left the school in 1940. Later, in 1966, part of another school, Loreto School, moved to St David's.
