The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 2/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
The nave appears to have been originally of the same design as the
choir; but about the beginning of this century it underwent considerable
repairs and improvements, which greatly altered the character of the
design, both externally and internally. As it was desired to introduce
galleries in the side aisles, it was found necessary to raise the height
of the main piers and arches. This was effected by taking off the caps,
carrying up the piers for 6 feet 4 inches, and putting the caps on
again,
[Illustration: FIG. 894.--The Parish Church, Haddington. South Transept
and Choir.]
the arches being also taken down and rebuilt at the new height, as shown
in Fig. 892. The outer walls of the aisles were also carried up about 3
feet, the buttresses being heightened at the same time, and finished
with new pinnacles of a totally different design from the old ones
[Illustration: FIG. 895.--The Parish Church, Haddington. West Doorway.]
(Fig. 893), some of which still remain on the buttresses of the choir
(Fig. 894). The latter are in character with the pinnacles of the late
pointed period in Scotland, while the new pinnacles of the nave are of a
quite different description. At the time of these alterations the
opportunity was taken to introduce a perforated and crenellated parapet,
evidently copied from some English example.
These alterations were only carried out in 1811, but the white stone
used being of a soft character, the work has now a weather-worn and
ancient appearance, which renders the distinction between the old and
new work somewhat difficult. The drawing of the church by Grose, and a
view in Dr. Barclay’s paper in the _Proceedings of the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland_, show the condition of the nave before the
alterations of 1811 took place, proving that the buttresses, &c., then
erected are new.
The west front (see Fig. 893) has, fortunately, not been so much
interfered with. This elevation is specially characteristic of Scottish
design. It contains the main doorway of the building (Fig. 895), in
which the circular arch (so often employed, especially in the doorways
of Scottish churches) is used; but it is enriched with the mouldings and
ornaments of the late decorated style (see Fig. 896). The mouldings and
foliage of the caps are specially striking and characteristic, while the
large leaves introduced amongst the arch mouldings are somewhat late in
design. The large arch is divided into two smaller openings by a central
pillar, the cap of which is of good design. It contains a shield (see
Fig. 896), surrounded with foliage, on which are carved the crown of
thorns, with a heart in the centre, and two hands and feet and the
nails, all emblems of the Passion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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