Blackfriars Chapel

The ruins of Blackfriars Chapel, just a small part of the intricate history entwined within the ancient Scottish town of St. Andrews, tell a tale as interesting as their position on the high street. Lit after dark with an eerie green light, Blackfriars stands amidst archaic buildings, shops, bars and restaurants, a reminder of the past standing strong against what we often ironically deem progress.
The Chapel was built in 1525, an addition to the original 13th century friary which was at that time undergoing extensive renovations. The Blackfriars, so named because of the colour of their garments, were Dominican friars or preachers introduced to St. Andrews around 1274 by Bishop Wishart. Constructed of sandstone, the Chapel was created on the north side of the original church and consisted of a nave and transepts. Part of this new structure encroached onto the street, permission granted in 1525 for this uncommon intrusion. The friary itself was damaged by fire in 1547, and destroyed in 1559 by a Protestant raid following a sermon by the fanatic John Knox. Only the Chapel remained standing, and today all that can be seen is the north transept with its unusual semi-octagonal-apsed north end. The large west window still looks out upon the street, although its stone tracery is missing, giving some indication of the size of the original building.
So how did Blackfriars Chapel appear, almost five hundred years ago, awaiting its friars, prayers echoing around its sandstone walls? The transept almost certainly had corner buttresses, suggesting they would have been present around the entire Chapel. Only parts of them can be seen today. The transept also had a parapet, but once again only traces of this feature survive. A pointed tunnel-vault made up the internal roof, its ribs meeting at a boss carved with Crucifixion emblems. These ribs were supported at the side walls by carbels, one bearing the arms of the Hepburn family. This in all probability related to John Hepburn, once Prior of the Augustinian Convent of St. Andrews Cathedral. The east wall featured an arched aumbry, a recess for the vessels
involved in Mass. There is also a blocked doorway, inserted at some time during the 18th century, incorporating the Chapel into a house that was built against the transept.
Popular belief is that all three of the aisle windows were originally the same size. The centre one, however, was lowered in the early 19th century when its tracery was replaced by a larger version of that in the adjoining windows. Projecting stone work known as hoodmoulds were positioned above the windows, allowing water to flow freely away from the walls and windows. Rosettes were incorporated into their design.
The remains of Blackfriars Chapel may not be as awe-inspiring as those of St. Andrews Cathedral or command the amazing views surrounding the Castle. But its importance in the history of this wonderful town, the role it has played in its past, stands side-by-side with its other iconic ruins. So don't just walk past, spend a moment in reflection, wonder at all that these sandstone walls have witnessed, all that has happened within and around this modest building. And at night picture ghostly reminders of souls long dead as you bathe in its mystic light.