Description

1877. 3-bay gabled Gothic church. Pointed-arched openings and distinctive crocketed and saw-toothed decoration to skews terminating in bellcote. Grey granite ashlar with recessed sandstone to clerestory windows.

E (entrance) ELEVATION: recessed 2-leaf timber doors to each ground floor bay with decorative cast-iron hinges and moulded surrounds; pointed-arched fanlights above. Central doorway slightly advanced with gabled doorpiece with cross at apex. Above, cinquefoil stained-glass windows with sandstone dressings flank tripartite lancet window with sandstone dressings and vesica to centre set within pointed-arched opening. Small, quatrefoil louvred opening above. 3 large pointed-arched windows with elaborate tracery at S elevation; segmental-arched pend runs underneath building at Theatre Lane. 2 further pointed-arched windows at W elevation.

Single sash and case window to N elevation over pend at Theatre Lane. Grey slate. Cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: Pointed-arch timber doors to vestibule and main hall. Vestibule wall with fixed-pane leaded glazing. Large hall with simple ribbed plasterwork coombed ceiling. Gallery to E with quartrefoil and dentil decoration; cast-iron supporting columns. Vaulted basement comprising 4 long and shallow brick chambers.

Statement of Interest

No 50 Marischal Street is a good example of a late 19th century gable-ended church, particularly notable for its unusual crocketed skews and prominent bellcote. The recessed sandstone dressings provide an interesting contrast to the granite. Following the building line of the earlier constructions to either side, the church provides continuity with its 18th century neighours and adds considerably to Marischal Street's important run.

Opened as the Trinity Parish Church in July 1877, it replaced the 1794 Theatre Royal building, which was destroyed by fire in 1872. The original walls of the theatre are incorporated into the fabric of the Church, with evidence of an older stair (now hidden behind plasterboard) which probably led to the stage and main theatre. The four vaulted cellars beneath the church were used as the dressing and props rooms for the theatre.

Minor alterations to the interior were carried out when the church was gifted to its current occupiers. This is commemorated by a plaque within the vestibule 'This church was given by Mrs Isabella Gordon to the Elim Foursquare Gospel Alliance, and was opened by Principal George Jeffreys the founder thereof on 25th August, 1934'. The Trinity Church pipe organ and pulpit of 1897 were removed at some point after 1934. It is thought that the bellcote never contained a bell. A secondary entrance to the church is located within the adjacent No 48 Marischal Street, leading both into the vestibule and down to the lower levels.

Marischal Street (designed by William Law, 1767) is of great historic interest in terms of the early development of Classical Aberdeen. Formed on the site of the Earl Marischal's lodging and linking Castlegate with the Harbour below, Marischal Street is carried on embankments down a partly vaulted incline. It is the earliest example of this type of construction in Aberdeen, anticipating the larger scale development of Union Street and Edinburgh's South Bridge by 20 years. Originally having a fine granite bridge half way down, this was demolished and replaced in 1983 along with adjacent Nos 36-40 and 37-39 to allow the widening of Virginia Street below.

The buildings occupying the Southern half of the street are attributed to William Smith (d.1812), father of John Smith (the renowned Aberdeen architect - b.1781) and are generally grander and more varied. The street as a whole retains much of its original character despite the gradual move from domestic to commercial ownership throughout 19th century. It is thought to be the first street in Aberdeen paved with square granite sets.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77780404

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)