St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral - Edinburgh

St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral is one of the great buildings of worship in Scotland. Designed by George Gilbert Scott and dedicated in 1879, it is the seat of the Bishop of Edinburgh, and a landmark in the city's famous New Town.

St Mary's Cathedral is one of Scotland's great Christian buildings, and indeed one of the country's neo-Gothic masterpieces. Designed by George Gilbert Scott, begun in 1874 and consecrated just five years later in 1879, it is a busy and living busy for our congregation and the wider Edinburgh and national community.

St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral was founded after sisters Barbara and Mary Walker left the whole of their property in central Edinburgh to the Scottish Episcopal Church. This enabled the building of a Cathedral which was to be dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, and also setting up trustees to endow the Cathedral and to set up grants in aid of other church work.
Subsequently, an architectural competition was arranged. Amid controversy, including accusations of plagiarism and favouritism from six competing designs, three from Scottish, three from English architects. That of the English Sir George Gilbert Scott (architect also of St Pancras Station and Hotel) was chosen, with plans submitted under the clever anonymous name, “Auld Lang Syne”. The foundation stone was laid on 21st May 1874 by the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, and the building consecrated just five years later on 30th October 1879. The cost was £110,000, but rising wages forbad the completion of the Chapter House and western spires. The Chapter House was added in 1890 by the generous donation of Hugh James Rollo at a cost of £5,000, the twin spires by church people during 1913-17 at a cost of £13,200, in memory of the founders (and have since been nicknamed Barbara and Mary).

The style of Scott’s design for the Cathedral was inspired by the early Gothic churches and abbeys of Scotland. He gave it as large a floor space as the site would allow, and made the massive central tower and spire and the twin western spires such prominent features that they may be seen from miles away. To this day, it remains the tallest building in Edinburgh. The enormous weight of the central tower - over 5,000 tons - is carried on four main pillars and spread through diagonal arches into buttresses in the outer walls, leaving unusually open views inside.

In the first twenty years of its existence the Cathedral started up no fewer than six congregations, in addition to gathering its own adherents. Many of those churches still thrive. In addition, the Cathedral devoted time and energy to furthering the missionary cause at home and abroad. Early on the Cathedral assisted in the formation of an Industrial Dwelling Company. Its purpose was to make available houses for labourers at reasonable rents and with good sanitary conditions.

Our archivist, Iain Morrison, has written a series of articles about the history of the early Cathedral (from its consecration in 1897 until the end of the Victorian era in 1902), on a variety of subjects: The Cathedral Building, The Song School, Services, Finances, Children, The Organ, The Congregation, Congregational Questions, Advertisements, Charitable Endeavours, Memorial Services and the End of the Victorian Era. It is available for download here.

During the First World War there was much activity in the Cathedral and its Missions on behalf of those who were serving in the Forces. A number of clergy became Chaplains to the Forces and the Revd Pierce Egan died in the Middle East. After the war there was anxiety about the state of religion in the country. A great missionary campaign was launched in 1923, and in 1924 a Scottish Church Congress was founded with the Provost as its Chairman. Its policy was to be positive, persuasive and progressive and its aim to win the whole country for Christ. The effect of the Second World War on the life of the Cathedral was disruptive rather than destructive, although bombs fell in nearby Gorgie. The “blacked-out” Cathedral enabled services and meetings to continue.

After the War, the Cathedral focused on the active concern for the disadvantaged at home and abroad and for ecological matters in partnership with many groups and individuals. To mark the first anniversary of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh status as a World Heritage Site (in 1996) an award was made in recognition of the exemplary quality of repairs to the stonework of the Cathedral achieved by the apprentices of St Mary’s Cathedral Workshop (now closed).

Видео St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral - Edinburgh канала Jim Ramsay