St Mary's Star of the Sea Church, Leith Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church

55°58′24″N 3°10′08″W / 55.9732°N 3.1690°W / 55.9732; -3.1690
Location	Leith, Edinburgh
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	St. Mary's Star of the Sea
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	1847
Dedication	St Mary Star of the Sea
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Category B listed
Architect(s)	Pugin & Hansom
Style	Italianate
Completed	1852
Administration
Deanery	St Giles', City of Edinburgh
Archdiocese	St Andrews and Edinburgh
Province	St Andrews and Edinburgh

St Mary Star of the Sea Church is a Roman Catholic church in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located on Constitution Street in the Leith area. The church is run by a group of priests called the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

The church was designed in 1854 by architects E.W. Pugin and Joseph Hansom. It is a Category B listed building, which means it's an important historical building. The church has more than 20 beautiful stained glass windows. One of its altars is dedicated to Mary Star of the Sea. She has been the special patron saint of Leith since the 12th Century.

Discovering the Past: History and Archaeology
How the Parish Works
Images for kids
See also

Discovering the Past: History and Archaeology

Before a new church hall was built in 2004, archaeologists did some digging. They found parts of an old house called Balmerino House. This house was built in 1631 by John Stewart, Earl of Carrick. It was later sold to Lord Balmerino in 1643.

Balmerino House and Its Owners

The Balmerino family owned the house until 1746. The fifth Lord Balmerino died that year. The Sixth Lord Balmerino was involved in a big historical event, and the house was then sold. It changed owners several times before the Church bought it in 1848. St Mary's Star of the Sea Church was built in 1853. Balmerino House was finally taken down in the 1970s. There's a small difference in dates: the church website says it was designed in 1854, but other records say it opened in 1854.

Ancient Discoveries Under the Church

Archaeologists also found a small burial ground that was there before Balmerino House was built. They found the remains of six adult men. These remains date back to the early 1500s to mid-1600s. Experts think this might have been part of the burial ground for the South Leith parish church.

The oldest thing found on the site was a well. It contained pottery from the 13th to 14th centuries. Another important discovery was some old clay pipe pieces and waste from a kiln. These showed that clay tobacco pipes were made here around 1630–1640. More parts of Balmerino House were found during later digs in 2006.

How the Church Changed Over Time

When St Mary's Star of the Sea Church was first built, it was simpler. It didn't have a chancel (the area around the altar) or a north aisle (a side section). Also, its main entrance faced west. The north aisle was added in 1900. The chancel was built in 1912. At that time, the current main entrance facing west was also created.

How the Parish Works

Since 2017, the many Catholic parishes in Edinburgh have been grouped together. This helps them share resources and work better. St. Mary's is part of Cluster 5. It works with three other churches: Holy Cross, St. Margaret Mary's, and St. Margaret (DM).

The parish is also part of the Oblate Centre of Mission Edinburgh. This group includes St John Ogilvie's Church in Wester Hailes. The priests from both parishes work together.