Description

Archibald Simpson, 1843-5; additional hall mid 20th century. Symmetrical 3- by 6-bay rectangular-plan plain Gothic Free Kirk with pitched outbuildings to rear; prominent 3-stage angle-buttressed tower to front. Coursed droved yellow sandstone ashlar (plastic repairs applied later); random rubble sandstone to E, W and S. Raised margins; base course; chamfered string courses. Pointed-arch openings; architraved ashlar mullions; Y- tracery; pointed-arch hoodmoulds, moulded label-stops.

N (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: 3-bay, 3-storey symmetrical elevation. Central entrance tower with door set in pointed-arch reveal, 2-leaf timber door with decorative inset relief; blind timber fanlight; large bipartite cusped window at 2nd stage; large louvred bipartite window above surmounted by octagonal spire; flanking panelled dies with crocketted pinnacles; small bipartite lucarne with ogee hoodmould; crocketted string course; wrought-iron finial. Tall narrow single windows in flanking chamfered bays; capped to outer left and right; crocket missing from right pinnacle.

E AND W (SIDE) ELEVATIONS: recessed single bay to N; 2-leaf timber door with decorative inset relief as above; bipartite fanlight; large louvred opening in tower above. Symmetrical disposition of bipartite, Y-tracery windows in 5 advanced bays to S of entrance.

Predominantly clear leaded glazing; stained-glass tripartite chancel window; stained single windows to outer left and right of E and W elevations respectively. Grey slate roof to church; raised stone skews.

HALL: pitched single storey church hall/meeting room to rear; graded grey slates; raised stone skews; coped apex stack to W; single circular can.

INTERIOR: relatively intact. Broad nave with open hammerbeam roof, boarded dados and galleried N end. Impressive double-stair in vestibule, cast-iron foliate balustrade, roll-moulded timber handrail. Timber pews with fleur-de-lys finials; simple Doric columns supporting gallery inset with blind-traceried panelling.

Tiered pulpit with bowed centre; quatrefoil and pointed-arch carved details; flanking balustraded stairs, timber handrail, carved timber newels. Pair of symmetrical decorative Gothic organ cases flanking pulpit. Octagonal timber baptismal font.

BOUNDARY WALLS, GATEPIERS, LAMPS AND RAILINGS: low coped boundary wall to Castle Street. Whitewashed square-plan, panelled gatepiers flank central entry; pyramidal caps; surmounted by decorative cast-iron lamp standards. Single whitewashed gatepier to pedestrian entry to outer left. Some original iron railings.

Statement of Interest

Trinity Church was one of the earliest Disruption Free Kirks following the signing of the Deed of Demission in May 1843 whereby 474 ministers broke away from the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church. It is also one of the few examples of the work of Archibald Simpson outside Aberdeen. According to THE BUILDER, Simpson "had great tact in the adaptation of his designs to any given circumstances.....He was particularly happy in accommodating the style of his works to the purposes for which they were intended, and to the character of the situation in which they were placed". With its austere exterior and comparatively bright and open interior, Simpson?s ability to adapt and create an appropriate whole can be seen here. Built to a cost of #3,000, this "new and elegant and commodious Free Church" (see MEMORIALS p229) was opened for worship on July 13th, 1845. The majority of the interior fittings are thought to date from the later 19th century.

Rothesay is one of Scotland's premier seaside resorts, developed primarily during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and incorporates an earlier medieval settlement. The town retains a wide range of buildings characteristic of its development as a high status 19th century holiday resort, including a range of fine villas, a Victorian pier and promenade.

The history and development of Rothesay is defined by two major phases. The development of the medieval town, centred on Rothesay Castle, and the later 19th and early 20th century development of the town as a seaside resort. Buildings from this later development, reflect the wealth of the town during its heyday as a tourist destination, and include a range of domestic and commercial architecture of a scale sometimes found in larger burghs. Both the 19th and early 20th century growth of the town, with a particular flourish during the inter-war period, included areas of reclaimed foreshore, particularly along the coast to the east of the town and around the pier and pleasure gardens.

(List description revised as part of Rothesay listing review 2010-11).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17775119

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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