The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3MacGibbon, David
History
The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland from the earliest Christian times to the seventeenth century; vol. 3/3
MacGibbon, David
Church architecture -- Scotland
The existing church (Fig. 1172) consists of a chancel, a nave with north
and south transepts situated at its west end, a western tower and spire,
and a sacristy on the north side of the chancel. The whole building is
small in size and of low proportions, the height of the tower and spire
[Illustration: FIG. 1173.
The Collegiate Church of Corstorphine.
Stone Built into Wall of Field.]
being only 50 feet, but although somewhat debased in style, it is very
quaint and picturesque.
The structure suffered great alteration and damage from a restoration
which took place about the beginning of this century. At that time the
north transept, together with the seventeenth century aisle, above
mentioned, and a part of the nave were taken down.[109] A new north
transept was built, and a new additional nave was erected on the north
side of the old nave. A doorway was knocked through the east wall of the
chancel, which necessitated the shortening of the large east window
above it by raising the sill. At the same time, the chancel was
converted into a lumber chamber and porch, by the process of building up
the chancel arch. As regards the sacristy, its floor has been dug out to
a depth of about 7 feet, and it is now used as a heating chamber and
coal cellar.
During this restoration a quantity of carved and moulded stones was
removed from the church to Juniper Green, in the vicinity, where
probably about fifty fragments, several containing the Forrester arms,
were built into a wall on the road leading from the above village to
Baberton House, but the wall has since been removed. Fig. 1173 is a
sketch of one of these stones, bearing three hunting horns impaling a
bend engrailed. At Hermiston House, also, several carved blocks
[Illustration: FIG. 1174.--The Collegiate Church of Corstorphine. View
from South-East.]
removed from Corstorphine Church have been preserved, some of which
contain the Forrester arms.
The plan of the building (omitting the alterations above described) is
remarkable. It seems to consist of two portions--(1) the transepts and
division to the east of them, forming one church, and (2) the choir
further
[Illustration: FIG. 1175.--The Collegiate Church of Corstorphine.
Sedilia in the Chancel.]
to the east, which seems to have formed an independent chapel. This view
is supported by the history of the structure.
In the east wall of the chancel a stone is fixed, with an inscription in
memory of the first provost of the college, the stone being “apparently
transferred,” says Mr. Laing, “from the place where the provost was
buried.” The inscription is in the following terms, viz.:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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