St. Marys church, Dundee

St Mary's Church Dundee is one of the oldest and most significant churches in the city of Dundee, Scotland. It is located in the historic centre on Nethergate and belongs to the Church of Scotland. It is not only a place of worship but also a religious site that played an important role in the history of the Reformation in Scotland. In 1556, some of the first Reformation services were held here. In this article, we will tell you about the history of this ancient church, its architectural features and current events.

History of St Mary's Church, Dundee

St Mary's Community Church, Dundee, is not just an old building in the centre of a Scottish city, but a living witness to the history of the city and religious changes in Scotland.

Origins and early years (1190–1300)

The history of Dundee churches began around 1190, when the church was founded by David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of King William the Lion. The first building was erected in honour of the Virgin Mary. The original structure has not survived to this day: in 1303, the church burned down during an attack by the English army and was later rebuilt.

Fires, the Reformation and the medieval period

In 1547, another destruction occurred during a military conflict — the church burned down again. In the Middle Ages, St Mary's became one of the largest parish churches in Scotland. At the same

time, the Old Steeple was built — a tall bell tower that has survived to this day and is a separate historical part of the complex.

Important! In his book History of the Reformation, John Knox mentions that it was here, in 1556, that one of the first Reformed services took place — the church played a key role in the spread of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland.

18th–19th centuries: decline and restoration

At various times, the church was divided into several congregations that gathered in one large building but held separate services and meetings. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there were about four congregations under one roof.

In 1841, another serious fire destroyed three of the city's churches. This was followed by major reconstruction work: the old St Mary's was rebuilt according to a design by architect William Burn, with construction completed in 1844.

20th–21st centuries: preserving traditions

After the reconstruction, St Mary's and other city churches in Dundee continued to operate as separate parishes. Today, St Mary's Church Dundee is an active parish church (Church of Scotland), where weekly services are still held. It remains an important spiritual centre of the city.

Exterior and Interior

As soon as you approach St Mary's Parish Church, you immediately sense its significance and historical essence. This religious building is an integral part of Dundee's historic centre and has witnessed events from different eras. The building combines features of 19th-century Gothic architecture (partially restored after a fire) with a powerful ancient bell tower, which has itself become a historical landmark.

The interior of the church is strikingly open, with a special atmosphere, and every detail, including the organ and stained glass windows, tells its own story.

Exterior

When you look at the architecture of St Mary's Church, you realise that it is a special building, and not just because of its size. The church stands on Nethergate in the heart of Dundee, close to the bustling city streets. As soon as you get closer to it, it begins to tell its story through its stonework and architectural elements.

Its current appearance dates back to the 19th century, when, after a severe fire in 1841, the building was rebuilt in the Gothic style to a design by William Burn, with characteristic pointed arches, narrow windows and austere lines. This type of architecture is typical of Northern European Gothic. The building looks solemn and austere at the same time, but that is precisely what makes it so attractive.

On the west side, it is adjoined by the Old Steeple, a 15th-century bell tower that stands slightly higher and is reminiscent of the medieval past of all Dundee's City Churches. The contrast between the older tower and the Victorian part makes the exterior very expressive. Looking at the church, one feels the connection between intertwining eras.

The facade of the church is most often photographed from the south and east, from Nethergate and Whitehall Street — from here, it is particularly clear that the walls are designed in a uniform style, although each part of the building tells its own story. The main entrance under the large stained-glass window is no longer in use but remains the visual centre of the eastern side of the church.

The exterior of St Mary's clearly shows that this is not just a functional building, but an entire architectural page in the history of Dundee — from the medieval spire to the Victorian Gothic of the 19th century. It has long been part of the city centre panorama, admired by tourists and locals alike.

Interior

The interior of St Mary's Church is impressive, creating a sense of solemnity and light, while remaining very warm and accessible even to those unfamiliar with church architecture. The central space faces west, where the organ gallery is located, and the large, tall windows let in plenty of sunlight.

The church organ was installed in 1865 by Forster and Andrew of Hull. Over the years, it has been improved and rebuilt several times — in 1908, 1939, 1969 and 1988.

Beneath the organ gallery is the magistrates' gallery, where the city lord provost and council members sat during official city events. The stained glass windows are equally impressive. Above the pulpit is an impressive glass window depicting the twelve apostles, with St. Paul standing in place of Judas. This stained glass window was created as part of the stained glass revival by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

The interior of the church is not just decoration: it reflects the history of the building, is a continuation of the religious life of the community, and makes the space not only solemn but also alive. In the windows on the sides and in different parts of the wall, you can see several stained glass windows created by different artists of the same period (late 19th - early 20th century). These windows differ in style, colour and subject matter - some are deeper in tone, others are light and detailed. Among them are works by Daniel Cottier & Co., such as the composition ‘The Resurrection,’ in which bright colours convey the emotional scene of the resurrection. In addition to decorating the interior, such details also tell the story of faith, linking art with a religious message.

The interior includes several galleries and decorative elements, such as columns on the sides, arcades and wooden gallery panels, made in the style of neo-Jacobean architecture. In other words, the design includes elements characteristic of the old English tradition of the 19th century.

St Mary's church windows

Inside St Mary's Church in Dundee, the stained glass windows immediately catch the eye — not just glass with coloured patterns, but genuine 19th-century works of art, filled with symbols, history and memories of the people to whom they are dedicated. They are located on both sides of the central hall, many of them donated by parishioners or community groups.

On the north side of the church, next to the gallery, is a stained glass window donated by the Women's Guild in 1966 and created by artist T. S. Halliday. It depicts the symbols of the three virtues — Faith, Hope and Love — and the lower part of the window is dedicated to these figures.

Nearby is an earlier stained glass window created by Edward Burne-Jones, donated in memory of Rev. Dr. Archibald Watson, who served in the church from 1862 to 1882. The glass is decorated with the inscription ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo,’ complemented by the symbols Alpha and Omega — the beginning and end of all God's creation.

Below the gallery on the north side is another interesting stained glass window, The Resurrection, created by Cottier and Company. It is dedicated to the memory of Thomas Smith and depicts scenes related to the resurrection of Christ in rich, deep colours.

On the south side, also under the gallery, there are stained glass windows made by different masters. One of the stained glass windows, made by Powell and Son in 1889, depicts the Baptism of Christ. The coloured glass was donated in memory of Thomas and his wife, as can be seen from the dedication on the piece. Nearby is another expressive stained glass window depicting the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It was made by the Newcastle Stained Glass Company and installed in memory of John W. Thomson and his wife.

These stained glass windows are not just wall decorations. They create a special atmosphere inside St Mary's: when light passes through the coloured glass, the space seems to come alive. They convey a sense of faith, memory of people and the living history of the parish.

Events at St Marys Community Church Dundee

Life at St Marys Dundee is not just about Sunday services — there are regular events that bring people together and make the church a place of fellowship, creativity and support for the whole community. In spring and summer, the church opened its doors to visitors on themed days, when people could come and simply look at the historic building, learn about its history and talk to members of the community.

In October 2024, the church hosted an Art Exhibition, featuring local artists and craftspeople, with part of the proceeds from the sale of the works going to the CHAS (Children's Hospices Across Scotland) charity. The same season saw the Charity Concert for Dundee Bairns, a charity concert in support of children. Tickets cost only £6, and the event and its friendly atmosphere attracted numerous music lovers and those wishing to help the city.

Traditionally, the church participates in the work of musical and social groups: choirs perform here, and instruments and voices of performers from other cities can be heard. At various times, concerts have been given here by the Dundee Choral Union, the East Fife Male Voice Choir and other artists.

St Marys Parish Church also hosts the Wednesday Club, a monthly meeting organised for socialising, presentations and communal dinners, as well as Coffee, Chat and Company, morning meetings with tea and conversation, where you can make new friends and simply have a good time. All these events show that the church is open not only for prayer, but also for socialising, creativity and supporting the local community.

Contact details for St Marys Church Dundee

Address: Nethergate, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom — DD1 4DG.

Session Clerk: W. Ramsay M. King — 07770 942966.

Email: [email protected] — for general enquiries and contact.

Additional email address: [email protected] — often used to receive answers to questions related to worship and events.

Site: https://dundeeparishstmarys.co.uk/

The traditional Sunday service is held every Sunday at 11:15, usually led by Rev. Keith F. Hall. The church entrances are equipped with ramps for the convenience of people with limited mobility, and there is a disabled toilet on the ground floor.

Other Dundee Churches

Dundee is a city with a rich history and active religious life, attractive to tourists. In addition to Dundee Parish Church (St Mary's), the city has many other churches of different denominations, from ancient parishes of the Church of Scotland to Catholic and independent communities. Each has its own character and traditions and serves different people: some choose traditional liturgy, others prefer modern worship or active community life.

Here is a list of city churches that are worth visiting:

1. St Andrew's Cathedral, Dundee
2. St Paul's Cathedral, Dundee
3. St Salvador's Church, Dundee
4. St Mary, Our Lady of Victories Church, Dundee
5. Dundee Westgait Church of Scotland
6. Craigowl Church, Dundee
7. Central Baptist Church, Dundee
8. Bethany Church, Dundee
9. St Clement's Church, Dundee
10. Steeple Church, Dundee

All these churches can be found on the city map. Plan your route based on their locations, paying special attention to the most popular religious sites.

Dundee Law Parish Church

Steeple Church and Coldside Parish Church are two formerly separate churches in Dundee, which merged into a single parish called Dundee Law Parish Church in the summer of 2024. This merger took place as part of the Churches of Scotland's Presbytery Planning scheme, with the aim of strengthening ministry in different parts of the city.

The Steeple Church is located in the heart of Dundee, on Nethergate. It is part of the old City Churches complex and neighbours the historic Old Steeple building. Services here are usually held in the morning, and the atmosphere is more modern and open, with music and active participation from the congregation.

Coldside Parish Church is located in the residential area of Coldside, on Main Street, and serves the surrounding areas. Services here are more traditional, with organ music, scripture readings and scheduled communion.

Now both of these branches of ministry are united into one large community, but they still operate in two different buildings, reflecting different styles of worship and different parts of city life.

St Andrews Parish Church Dundee

St. Andrew's Parish Church is a Church of Scotland parish located on King Street in Dundee. It was built in the 18th century (around 1774) to a design by architect Samuel Bell and has been an integral part of the city's religious life ever since.

This church is notable for its beautiful architecture and tall stained-glass windows. Services are traditionally held here on Sundays. The church is surrounded by well-kept gardens, and in summer it attracts not only parishioners but also tourists, lovers of old buildings and those seeking an atmosphere of tranquillity in the middle of the city.

St Leonard's Church Dundee

Saint Leonard's & St. Fergus Church is a Catholic church in the Ardler district on the outskirts of Dundee. Its official name is Ss Leonard & Fergus, but locals often refer to it simply as St Leonard's.

It is a lively parish community of the Roman Catholic Church, with Masses held on Sundays and weekdays. The parish is united with a number of other Catholic communities, but this church remains the centre of life for local families and parishioners who seek spiritual support and actively participate in religious ceremonies.

St Peter and Paul, Dundee

St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic Church is another Catholic parish church in Dundee, located on Byron Street. It belongs to the Dunkeld Diocese and is a venue for regular Masses and community events. The church is headed by the priest Rt. Rev. Mgr. Kenneth J. Canon McCaffrey. Masses are held here on Saturday evenings (in the form of a vigil mass) and early on Sunday mornings. The church is important to the city's Catholic community — families, children and parishioners of all ages come here, and for many it serves not only as a house of worship but also as a centre for socialising within Dundee's Catholic community.