A Corpus of Scottish Medieval
Parish Churches

Historical outline

Despite the importance of the parish church of St Peter and Paul of Montrose as indicated by the records for the later medieval period, evidence relating to its origin and early historical development is entirely lacking.  The earliest material relating to it that survives is the record of the valuation of the vicarage perpetual that served the cure in the church, preserved in 1274 in Bagimond’s Roll.(1)  The first named vicar perpetual, David Falconer, is recorded for the first time in 1386.(2) The parsonage, which at the Reformation was noted as annexed to the episcopal mensa of Brechin,(3) had evidently been in the bishop’s hands from before the drawing up of the papal tax roll, but when and how that annexation had occurred is unknown.

As a burgh church that attracted significant additional patronage, there is evidence that Montrose saw a proliferation of additional altars and chaplainries in the later Middle Ages.  The first recorded is the perpetual chaplainry of the Holy Cross or Holy Rood, which David Falconer, the vicar, had also held in the late 1380s.(4) 

It appears that the vicars also served this chapel into the middle of the fifteenth century, when a separate endowment was instituted to support a separate chaplain.  This development appears to have occurred some time before 1441 when Thomas Bell who held the vicarage of Montrose and chaplainry of the Holy Cross from 1395(5) was recorded as having endowed the chaplainry with two merks from his vicarage revenues to support a perpetual chaplain.(6)  Subsequently finding that the revenues assigned to it were inadequate to support the chaplain, Bishop John united and annexed to it the chapel of St John near the burgh, valued at £3 per annum.  The combined revenues were noted in John’s supplication to the pope for confirmation of the union as totalling still only £4. 

On 27 October 1446, the pope was supplicated that in order that the church of Montrose and the annexed chapel ‘which is often visited by pilgrims’ might be preserved and enlarged, he grant to all pilgrims to the church and chapel who visit them in the feasts of the Nativity, Circumcision, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension, the feasts of Pentecost, Trinity, Corpus Christi, of the apostles Peter and Paul, of the Invention and Exaltation of the Holy Cross, also in the feasts of St Michael the Archangel and of All Saints, and in the octaves of the same, and who contribute to their repair seven years indulgence.(7)  The request for indulgences also made reference to miracles having occurred frequently in the past at the chapel.  This probably related to the cross relic which was referred to in a letter of 1446 as being houses in the chapel and ‘from which it cannot be moved’.(8)

In 1428, first reference to an altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the church survives.(9)  Supplication was made to the papacy that although both the church of Montrose, and the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary within it, were ancient foundations in a populous place, recent wars and pestilences had led to them being ‘so much collapsed in their edifices, books, ornaments and other ecclesiastical things that without the alms of other Christian faithful they can by no means be repaired, and unless provision is speedily made by the pope they will fall into almost total ruin’.  It was requested that those people visiting the church and chapel on the feasts of All Saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of St Peter and St Paul apostles, and on other solemn feasts and octaves of the same, and who contributed to the buildings’ upkeep, receive seven years indulgence.

An altar of the Holy Trinity is recorded in the church in 1434 when Bishop John of Brechin presented a chaplain to serve at it.(10)  The patron of the associated chaplainry has not been identified, but it was noted that the benefice was endowed with annual rents of 10 merks from the lands of Old Montrose. 

The altar of St James the Greater received an endowment for a chaplainry in September 1492 from John Cant, vicar perpetual of Montrose.(11) The endowment comprised of an extensive bundle of annual rents from a portfolio of properties in an around the burgh.  In October 1502, Master Walter Straiton, rector of Dunnottar, made a pro anima grant for the soul of the late sir Alexander Rait.  This granted an endowment made up of multiple annual rents from properties in the burgh for the maintenance of one chaplain at the altar of St Sebastian the Martyr.(12)

Altars with more obscure dedications that reflect the late medieval trend towards very specifically focussed devotions are recorded in 1532. In January that year, David Stirling of Easter Braikie, provost of the burgh of Montrose, made an endowment for the souls of George Stirling of Easter Braikie, his father, Margaret Douglas his mother, Patrick Stirling his uncle, and the Hugh lord Fraser of Lovat, baron of Kinnell, to a perpetual chaplain skilled in chant, musical arts and grammar, who was to be chorister – presumably choir master - of the burgh and who would celebrate at the altar of the Holy Saviour Jesus Christ and His Precious Body and Blood.  The new altar had been founded by Stirling and sir John Gilbert master of the burgh hospital, and endowed with 10 merks of revenue.(13)

There is no evidence for where any of these six subsidiary altars were located in the church and little evidence for any building work that may have been associated with the wave of later medieval endowments that supported their foundations.  Interestingly, the one account of work being undertaken there occurs in the Chamberlain’s Accounts of the archdiocese of St Andrews for 1540, where payment of 22 shillings was made to the masters of the work at Montrose church.(14)  Sadly, no further detail is given of what that work involved nor of why it was being funded from the revenues of another diocese.

Notes

1. SHS Misc, vi, 52.

2. CPL, Clement VII, 113.

3. Kirk (ed), Book of Assumption of Thirds of Benefices, 388-89.

4. CPL, Benedict XIII, 37.

5. CPL, Benedict XIII, 37.

6. CSSR 1433-1447, no.837.

7. CSSR, 1433-1447, no.1328.

8.CSSR, iv, no.1329.

9. CSSR, 1423-28, 204-5.

10. Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis, ii, Appendix, no.23.

11. RMS, ii, no 2013.

12. RMS, ii, no 2716.

13. RMS, iii, no 1146.

14. Rentale Sancti Andree, 107.

Summary of relevant documentation

Medieval

Synopsis of Cowan’s Parishes: The parsonage teinds were with the episcopal mensa of Brechin at  the Reformation. The cure was a perpetual vicar from 1274.(1)

1386 David Falconer is perpetual vicar of Montrose and also holds chaplainry of the Holy Cross in Brechin. Still vicar in 1394 by which time he is treasurer of Glasgow.(2)

1403 Thomas Bell (proctor of the Scottish nation at the University of Orleans) is perpetual vicar.(3)

1419 Thomas excommunicated by bishop of St Andrews ‘on account of his demerits’. Attempt to collate Alexander Lyndsay (MA and student of Theology, illegitimate relative of earl of Crawford) in his place (value 40 marks).(4) Unsuccessful as Bell is still in possession in 1423 when he was in Rome in the entourage of the bishop of Brechin.(5)

1431 Confirmation by James I of the foundation by Thomas Bell (canon of Brechin and Arbroath), perpetual vicar of Montrose, of a chaplaincy in the chapel of the Holy Cross in the town of Montrose (later charter gives Thomas permission to be chaplain of his own foundation).(6)

1432 Further attempt to shift Thomas Bell by David Conan (value £20).(7)

1514 William Meldrum is described as perpetual vicar of both Montrose and Dunnichen.(8)

References to liturgical provision/architecture/building, indulgences etc

1428 Indulgence. Although the parish church of St Peter and St Paul of Montrose…and the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary within the same, are of much antiquity and abundantly populous [parish as a whole], nevertheless for some years on account of the wars and the pests which have unfortunately afflicted these parts for a long time, they are much collapsed in their edifices, books, ornaments and other ecclesiastical things that without the alms of the other Christian faithful they can by no means be repaired, and unless provision is speedily made by the Pope they will fall into almost total ruin. That therefore the Christian faithful may be allured there by spiritual rewards, may the Pope grant and relax to allow truly penitent and confessed, who devoutly visit the same church and chapel on the feasts of All Saints, and the Blessed Virgin Mary and of SS Peter and Paul….7 years.(9)

1446 Indulgence - Holy Cross chapel often visited by pilgrims; further indulgence supplicated for where in the early days many miracles were performed. Feasts specified as nativity, circumcision, passion, resurrection, ascension, Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi, Peter and Paul, invention, St Michael and All Saints. Also supplication of vicar to have special right to absolve sins of excommunicants, those under indult and other censures.(10)

1446 John Cristini further papal letter, states that ‘the faithful are especially devoted to that chapel on account of the Cross there honoured, from which it cannot be moved’, and that the church is ruinous.(11)

Altars and chaplaincies in the church

Holy Trinity

1450 Henry Faulconer described as chaplain of the altar of the Holy Trinity in Montrose, founded by Eliscon and Thomas Falconer.(12)

Holy Saviour/Blood

1531 (20 Jan) The King has confirmed, in mortmain, a charter of David Stirling of Easter Braikie, provost of the burgh of Montrose, by which, he granted in pure alms to one permanent chaplain cantor, skilled in the musical and grammatical arts and who should be a chorister of the said burgh, to celebrate at the altar of the Holy Saviour Jesus Christ and His Precious Body and Blood, founded by him and Sir John Gilbert, vicar of the hospital of the said burgh, in the parish church of Montrose, 10 marks of the yearly income of £10 from the lands of Easter Braikie.(13)

St James

1492 (26 Sept) The King has confirmed in mortmain a charter of John Cant, master in arts, rector of the parish church of Logie Montrose, and perpetual vicar of the parish church of the burgh of Montrose, by which he granted to one chaplain in the parish church of the burgh of Montrose, at the altar of Blessed James the Great, Apostle, to celebrate mass --- 4 measures of arable lands in the said burgh in the Sandhawch [...]; 13 shillings and 4 pence from the bakery and tenement of Gavin Baxter, on the north side of the chapel of the Holy Cross.(14)

St Sebastian

1502 (19 Oct) The King has confirmed in mortmain a charter of Master Walter Stratton, rector of Dunnottar, by which, for the salvation of the late Alexander Rait, etc., he granted in pure alms to one chaplain to celebrate mass perpetually at the altar of St Sebastian the Martyr within the parish church of the burgh of Montrose, the lands and annual revenues detailed below within the said burgh.(15)

Post-medieval

Books of assumption of thirds of benefices and Accounts of the collectors of thirds of benefices: Teinds from the parish church go to Brechin episcopal mensa, silver teinds in the parish value £10.(16)

Account of Collectors of Thirds of Benefices (G. Donaldson): Third of vicarage £6 13s 4d.(17)

1560 (20 Dec) John Areskine of Dunne and Andrew Mylen represented the church at the first meeting of the General Assembly in Edinburgh.(18)

1641 (11 Mar) Visitation of the church by the Presbytery of Brechin.(19)

1641 (29 Sept) It is ordained that the loft is the south aisle and to be put up again at the end of the loft that it is in the choir.(20)

1646 (26 Mar) Note that the scholars seats should be put up in the north aisle.(21)

1649 (12 Aug) Ordinance that the graves of those buried in the church should be levelled and replaced by seats.(22)

1657 (30 July) Visitation of the church finds the minister to be competent; when asked how the fabric is kept, the minister and elders answer ‘by penalties’. The presbytery are dis-satisfied by the answer and order that the heritors are to uphold the church and assign a proportion to be upheld by the burgh.(23)

1723 (11 Jun) Decision taken to repair the church and steeple. The heritors are to contribute £942 18s (as 2/3 of overall amount) [repairs may have been delayed or not carried out as the minister died and there was a long vacancy].(24)

Statistical Account of Scotland (Rev Alexander Molleson, 1791):

 ‘The old church of Montrose was a gothic structure, rendered very gloomy and irregular, by large additions to the galleries and to the building itself. It was originally however, venerable and well proportioned. Having fallen into decay… a plan for a new building was drawn up’.(25) [Work in progress]

New Statistical Account of Scotland (Revs Robert Smith and Joseph Paterson, 1838):

 ‘The church…was built in 1791…. When the church was renewed, the old steeple was allowed to stand, til about 3 years ago (c.1832), when, having been condemned as dangerous, it was taken down’.(26)

Architecture of Scottish Post-Reformation Churches (George Hay): Built in 1791 to the design of local architect David Logan. Is similar to St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh.(27)

Notes

1. Cowan, The parishes of medieval Scotland, 150.

2. CPL, Clem, 115. CPL, Ben, 36-37.

3. CPP, 625.

4. CSSR, i, 132.

5. CSSR, ii, 32.

6. Registrum Brechinensis, ii, no. 21.

7. CSSR, iii, 262.

8. CPL, xx, no.238.

9. CSSR, ii, 204-05.

10. CSSR, iv, no.1328.

11. CSSR, iv, no.1329.

12. Registrum Brechinensis, ii, no. 44.

13. RMS, iii, no. 1146.

14. RMS, ii, 2113 .

15. RMS, ii, 2716 .

16. Kirk, The books of assumption of the thirds of benefices, 388-89.

17. Donaldson, Accounts of the collectors of thirds of benefices, 10.

18. Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies of the Kirk of Scotland, i, p.3.

19. NRS Presbytery of Brechin, Minutes, 1639-1661, CH2/40/1, fol. 21.

20. NRS Montrose Kirk Session, 1633-1671, CH2/943/11, fol. 10.

21. NRS Montrose Kirk Session, 1633-1671, CH2/943/11, fol. 14.

22. NRS Montrose Kirk Session, 1633-1671, CH2/943/11, fol. 18.

23. NRS Presbytery of Brechin, Minutes, 1639-1661, CH2/40/1, fol. 385.

24. NRS Presbytery of Brechin, Minutes, 1721-1729, CH2/40/8, fols. 164-165.

25. Statistical Account of Scotland, (1791), v, 32.

26. New Statistical Account of Scotland, (1838), xi, 282.

27. Hay, The Architecture of Scottish Post-Reformation Churches, pp. 81, 142, 167 & 246.

Bibliography

NRS Montrose Kirk Session, 1633-1671, CH2/943/11.

NRS Presbytery of Brechin, Minutes, 1639-1661, CH2/40/1.

NRS Presbytery of Brechin, Minutes, 1721-1729, CH2/40/8.

Acts and Proceedings of the General Assemblies of the Kirk of Scotland, 1839-45, ed. T. Thomson (Bannatyne Club), Edinburgh.

Calendar of entries in the Papal registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland; Papal letters, 1893-, ed. W.H. Bliss, London.

Calendar of entries in the Papal registers relating to Great Britain and Ireland; Papal Petitions, 1893-, ed. W.H. Bliss, London.

Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Benedict XIII of Avignon, 1976, ed. F. McGurk, (Scottish History Society) Edinburgh.

Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Clement VII of Avignon, 1976, ed. C. Burns, (Scottish History Society) Edinburgh.

Calendar of Scottish Supplications to Rome 1418-22, 1934, ed. E.R. Lindsay and A.I. Cameron, (Scottish History Society) Edinburgh.

Calendar of Scottish Supplications to Rome 1423-28, 1956, ed. A.I. Dunlop, (Scottish History Society) Edinburgh.

Calendar of Scottish Supplications to Rome 1428-32, 1970, ed. A.I. Dunlop; and I.B. Cowan, (Scottish History Society) Edinburgh.

Calendar of Scottish Supplications to Rome 1433-47, 1983, ed. A.I. Dunlop and D MacLauchlan, Glasgow.

Cowan, I.B., 1967, The parishes of medieval Scotland, (Scottish Record Society), Edinburgh.

Donaldson, G., 1949, Accounts of the collectors of thirds of benefices, (Scottish History Society), Edinburgh.

Hay, G., 1957, The Architecture of Scottish Post-Reformation Churches, 1560-1843, Oxford.

Kirk, J., 1995, The books of assumption of the thirds of benefices, (British Academy) Oxford.

New Statistical Account of Scotland, 1834-45, Edinburgh and London.

Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis, 1856, ed. C. Innes (Bannatyne Club), Edinburgh, i.

Statistical Account of Scotland, 1791-9, ed. J. Sinclair, Edinburgh.

Architectural description

The parish of Montrose, which was initially known as Salorch, was attached to the mensa of the bishop of Brechin by the time of the Reformation. The cure had been a perpetual vicarage since at least 1274.(1) Although the church served a prosperous community, and is known to have housed a number of altars, it appears to have been in a state of decay in 1428, when an indulgence of seven years was granted to those who visited on the feasts of All Saints, Our Lady and Sts Peter and Paul.(2)

There are known to have been modifications to the medieval church in 1643,(3) and there would presumably have been a need for other works on both previous and subsequent occasions. But by the late eighteenth century it was decided the church could no longer be maintained and that it had to be replaced. The minister, who was the author of the description of the parish in the Statistical Account said of his church on the eve of its reconstruction:

The old church of Montrose was a Gothic structure, rendered very gloomy and irregular, by large additions to the galleries and the building itself. It was originally, however, venerable and well proportioned. Having fallen into decay, the heritors, town council, kirk-session, trades and proprietors of seats, agreed unanimously to build another in its stead; the dimensions of which are 98 by 65 feet over walls. The plan has been formed with deliberation; - it has been compared with modern churches; - it has been submitted to the inspection of some skilful architects; - and, it is to be hoped, will be executed in such a manner as to merit public approbation.(4)

The new church was built to an austerely utilitarian design by David Logan.(5) It appears, however, that the existing tower was allowed to remain for a while,(6) though in 1811 Logan produced designs for a replacement.(7) After further deliberations, James Gillespie Graham was commissioned to build the ambitious western tower in 1832-4 that still provides Montrose’s most prominent landmark.(8)

Subsequently, in 1855, John Sim added a polygonal apse to the south face as a backdrop to the pulpit, and inserted timber tracery in the windows throughout. More recently, in 1954-5, the porches on the north flank of the church were replaced by a plain single-storey forebuilding to the designs of Thomson, McRea and Saunders, with the frontispiece of one of the earlier porches relocated at its centre.(9)

The body of the church as now seen is a rectangular structure built of pink rubble in 1791, to which has been added the south apse of 1855, and the entrance range of 1954-5. Internally, there are two tiers of a polygonal arrangement of galleries supported on cast iron Tuscan columns, which are directed towards the pulpit in the south apse.

But the great glory of the church is unquestionably James Gillespie Graham’s west tower of 1832-4, which is built of fine pink ashlar. It rises through three main storeys with octagonal buttresses capped by two-stage pinnacles at the angles, from which openwork flyers extend across to the diagonal faces of a tall steeple. That steeple is enriched by two levels of lucarnes, and there are bands of crocketing at the angles. The inspiration behind the design must have been one of the eastern English steeples, such as Louth in Lincolnshire or Whittlesea in Cambridgeshire, though, despite Pugin’s tutelage, Gillespie Graham’s understanding of such models had its limitations in the detailing.

The survival of significant numbers of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century memorials around the church makes clear that it is located in a historic churchyard, and the spread of those memorials supports the tradition that the present church is on the site of its medieval predecessor. However, there is nothing to suggest that any of the walls of that earlier church have been incorporated in the present church, though a number of evidently re-used stones in its walls could be from both the medieval church and the extensions made to it in 1643.

Notes

1. Ian B. Cowan, The Parishes of Medieval Scotland (Scottish Record Society), 1967, p. 150.

2. Calendar of Scottish Supplications to Rome 1423-28, ed. A.I Dunlop (Scottish History Society), 1956, vol, 2, pp. 204-05.

3. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, CANMORE website.

4. Statistical Account of Scotland, 1791-99, vol. 5, pp. 32-33.

5. J.G. Low, memorials of the Parish Church of Montrose, Montrose, 1891, pp. 138 and 142.

6. New Statistical Account of Scotland, 1834-45, vol. 11, p. 282.

7. Howard Colvin, Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Architects, 4th ed., New Haven and London, p. 658.

8. New Statistical Account of Scotland, 1834-45, vol. 11, p. 282.

9. John Gifford, The Buildings of Scotland, Dundee and Angus, New Haven and London, 2012, p. 620.