St Mary's Monastery, Kinnoull facts for kids
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 Location in Perth
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| Monastery information | |
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| Order | Redemptorists |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Dedicated to | Our Lady of Perpetual Help |
| Consecrated | 29 November 1913 |
| People | |
| Architecture | |
| Functional Status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Category B |
| Designated date | 20 May 1965 |
| Architect | Andrew Heiton |
| Groundbreaking | 16 June 1868 |
| Completion date | 19 March 1869 |
| Site | |
| Location | Kinnoull, Perth, Scotland |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 56°23′40″N 3°24′35″W / 56.39448°N 3.40965°W |
| Website | KinnoullMonastery.co.uk |
St Mary's Monastery is a special place in Kinnoull, Perth, Scotland. It is a Christian centre for spiritual learning and quiet retreats. People go there to relax, pray, and learn more about their faith.
The building was put up in 1868 by a group called the Redemptorists. They are a Catholic religious order. For many years, until 1971, it was also a place where new Redemptorist members trained. This training place was called a novitiate.
In 1870, a church and shrine were built inside the monastery grounds. This church is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. St Mary's Monastery is on Hatton Road, near Kinnoull Hill. It looks out over the city of Perth. The building is very old and important. It is officially protected as a Category B listed building. This means it has special historical or architectural value. It was also the first Roman Catholic monastery built in Scotland since the Reformation. The Reformation was a big change in religion that happened many years ago.
Contents
Building History
Starting the Monastery
The land for St Mary's Monastery was bought on May 21, 1866. It was bought from William Hay, 4th Earl of Kinnoull. The first stone of the building was laid on June 16, 1868. This was a special event. It was blessed by John Strain, who was a very important church leader.
A local architect named Andrew Heiton designed the monastery. An architect is someone who plans and designs buildings. Andrew Heiton designed many famous buildings. Some of his other works include Vogrie House and the Perth Municipal Buildings. He also taught other architects.
Building the Monastery
The money for the land and building came from the family of Edward Douglas. He was a Redemptorist priest. The main building was finished on May 19, 1869. The Redemptorist community then moved in.
The church, which is part of the monastery, was still being built. It was opened on March 22, 1870. The church was officially blessed on November 29, 1913. This blessing was done by Robert Fraser, a bishop from Dunkeld.
For many years, the monastery was a busy place. It hosted retreats, which are quiet times for prayer and reflection. Redemptorist priests also traveled from there to help local Catholic churches. It was also a novitiate, where new members learned to become Redemptorists.
Changes Over Time
In 1896, the monastery and church were made bigger. A new prayer room and a clock tower were added. These new parts were designed by Andrew Granger Heiton. He was the nephew of the first architect.
Inside the church, there is a special chapel for remembering people who have died. There is also a crypt, which is an underground room. The church also has a large organ made by Henry Willis & Sons.
After the 1970s, the monastery stopped being a training place for new Redemptorists. In 1978, it started to host retreats for women. In 1981, it became a main centre for retreats and spiritual renewal. This means helping people grow in their faith. In the 2000s, the whole building was updated and renovated. It was officially reopened in 2017.
More to Explore
- List of listed buildings in Perth, Scotland
- Catholic Church in Scotland
- List of monastic houses in Scotland
