MAGDELAN CHAPEL

This small chapel, built in 1541-4, is situated beneath the George IV bridge in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It was bequeathed by Michael MacQueen and also his wife Janet Rynd who is buried within.

It was established partly as a hospital where provision was made for the poor as well as the infirm. This duty of care passed to the Incorporation Of Hammermen which took over the chapel as their meeting place. The building is notable for staging the first assembly of the new Church of Scotland in December 1560, including among the 42 assembled, John Knox (1513-1572)

The Victorian façade obscures the ancient stonework within, but the structure still houses the only surviving example of Pre-Reformation stained glass. This comprises four roundels, one representing the arms of Scotland and the other three depicting Mary of Guise, MacQueen and MacQueen and Rynd together. The interior reveals two panel covered walls on which bequests have been recorded to support the work of the chapel.

In 1957 a committee to restore Magdelan chapel was established involving Edinburgh University, The Cockburn Association, The Incorporation of Hammermen (owners till 1857) and the Protestant Institute of Scotland (owners of the day). The building is now the headquarters of the Scottish Reformation Society, formed in 1851.