What Is a Collegiate Church?

What is a Collegiate Church?

The Collegiate Church of St Matthew Why was Sir William’s original vision

Rosslyn Chapel was originally founded as the Collegiate not realised? Church of St Matthew. By the mid-15th century, Before his death, Sir William divided his estate amongst his collegiate churches had become popular with rich three eldest sons: William, from his first marriage, and Oliver barons. Once given Papal blessing, they could build their and William from the second. However, the largest portion own style of private chapels with clergy saying masses was given to Oliver. This effectively disinherited his eldest for the souls of the family. Sometimes collegiate churches son, (known as William the Waster). After Sir William’s death, were added on to existing parish churches. At other times, his eldest son disputed the settlement so to make peace, as with Rosslyn Chapel, a rich landowner might build his Oliver conceded further lands to his brother. He was given own spectacular chapel: not just a place for constant singing some lands around the Lothians, and also the castles of of prayers, but a demonstration of their wealth and position Ravensheugh and Dysart in Fife. in society.

Prayers for the Dead were important in Medieval times. “Thus by the time of his death in 1484, The living were obliged to help speed the journey of their his vast possessions had been divided among newly dead relatives through Purgatory. They could do this three branches of the family: the Lords St Clair by paying for masses to be said for their souls. As demand of Dysart, the St Clairs of Rosslyn, and the for masses grew, it was common for priests to be hired, Sinclairs of Caithness.” whose sole purpose was to carry out the function of singing masses in churches especially built for that purpose. The Earl of Rosslyn, 2012 'Office of the Dead' also became a framework for private This meant that Oliver would have far less funds at his devotion, making a strong link in the mind of the living disposal, and may well not have been in a position to between praying for the dead and saving their own souls. complete his father’s grand vision. All we know is that Collegiate churches took several forms. Some were the Oliver completed the choir section only, making it usable forerunners of our university system, where young boys as a chantry chapel. Endowments were in place for a Provost would be educated, largely for the priesthood. We believe and six Prebendiaries. But the Reformation was beginning in that Rosslyn Chapel was a chantry chapel – its sole function Europe and collegiate churches would soon be obsolete. was to sing masses every day for the souls of the St Clairs. However, it is possible that Sir William St Clair did intend the building to be a larger church with space for education or community worship, as we can see where the transepts were begun, and there are foundations for a nave and bell tower. Unfortunately, Sir William St Clair died before even the choir section was fully completed.

This carving is thought to be of the founder of the Chapel, William St Clair. He began building Rosslyn Chapel in 1446 but died in 1484 before it was complete.

1 What is a Collegiate Church?

The Effect of the Reformation

The Reformation began in Europe around 1517, and before long it would spread into Scotland. By 1560 Catholic worship was banned. In February 1571 Rosslyn’s endowments were seized but the St Clairs held onto their Catholic faith and continued to use their church. The Presbytery records of Dalkeith show that in 1589, the minister of Cockpen, John Knox’s brother, was censured for baptising Lord Rosslyn’s child in a place which they described as a 'house of idolatry'.

Repeatedly warned to stop using the building as a church, the General Assembly ordered the altars destroyed in 1592. That was effectively the end of Rosslyn Chapel as a house of prayer. Interestingly, the Presbytery did not seize the building, so it remained in the family’s hands. And this may be why its unique decoration survived despite a few attempts to destroy them during the Civil War of 1650 and the Protestant Revolution of 1688.

As well as praying for the souls of Sir William and his deceased ancestors, as a collegiate chapel, Rosslyn’s clergy worked to spread intellectual and spiritual knowledge.