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{{Short description|Museum in Scotland, UK}}
{{Distinguish|Blair College}}
{{Distinguish|Blair College}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
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[[File:Sunset at Blairs College - geograph.org.uk - 97321.jpg|thumb|300px|Sunset at Blairs College in 2001]]
{{Infobox museum
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'''St Mary's College, Blairs''' (commonly known as '''Blairs College'''), situated near Aberdeen in [[Scotland]], was from 1829 to 1986 a junior [[seminary]] for boys and young men studying for the [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|Roman Catholic priesthood]].<ref name="Muir">{{cite web|url=http://www.blairsmuseum.com/BlairsCollegeDevelopmentProposal.pdf|title=Regeneration and Renewal of Blairs College|publisher=The Muir Group|accessdate=18 October 2010}}</ref> Part of the former college now houses Blairs Museum, the museum of [[Scotland's Catholic heritage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blairsmuseum.com/College/history-college.htm|title=Blairs College|publisher=Blairs Museum|accessdate=20 October 2010}}</ref> The New Chapel is a Category A [[listed building]], with the other buildings listed as Category B.<ref>[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/scotland/aberdeenshire/aberdeen Aberdeen] from British Listed Buildings, retrieved 15 June 2016</ref>
| name = Blairs Museum
| image = Sunset at Blairs College - geograph.org.uk - 97321.jpg
|caption = Sunset at Blairs College in 2001
| map_type =
| established = 1829
| location = Blairs, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
| type = [[Catholic church]]
| website = [https://www.blairsmuseum.com/College/history-college.htm Official website]
}}


[[File:Blairs 05 (4635082605).jpg|thumb|Stained-glass in Blairs College]]
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==History==
[[File:St Mary&#039;s church , Blairs College - geograph.org.uk - 11778.jpg|thumb|St Mary's Chapel , Blairs College]]
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Lying on the south bank of the [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]], between [[Kirkton of Maryculter]] and [[Aberdeen]], the land on which the seminary was built was originally owned by the [[Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem]], before passing to the Menzies family in 1542. In 1827 the land was donated by John Menzies of Pitfodfels (1756-1843) to the [[Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland]], and the original building, Menzies House, converted into a seminary for 25 pupils. In 1829 [[Lismore Seminary]] and [[Aquhorthies College]] were merged, then closed and the students moved to Blairs College.


⚫
'''St Mary's College, Blairs''' (commonly known as '''Blairs College'''), situated near [[Aberdeen]] in [[Scotland]], was from 1829 to 1986 a junior [[seminary]] for boys and young men studying for the [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|Roman Catholic priesthood]].<ref name="Muir">{{cite web|url=http://www.blairsmuseum.com/BlairsCollegeDevelopmentProposal.pdf|title=Regeneration and Renewal of Blairs College|publisher=The Muir Group|access-date=18 October 2010|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195626/http://www.blairsmuseum.com/BlairsCollegeDevelopmentProposal.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Part of the former college now houses Blairs Museum, the museum of [[Scotland's Catholic heritage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blairsmuseum.com/College/history-college.htm|title=Blairs College|publisher=Blairs Museum|access-date=20 October 2010|archive-date=5 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305032458/http://www.blairsmuseum.com/College/history-college.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The New Chapel is a Category A [[listed building]], with the other buildings listed as Category B.<ref>[http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/scotland/aberdeenshire/aberdeen Aberdeen] from British Listed Buildings, retrieved 15 June 2016</ref>
⚫
A major expansion was executed from 1897 to 1902 with a new chapel by A Curran of [[Warrington]] and new lectures rooms and accommodation by [[Robert Gordon Wilson (architect)|Robert Gordon Wilson]] of [[Aberdeen]]. The new buildings were formally opened by [[Aeneas Chisholm (Bishop of Aberdeen)|Bishop Chisholm]] on 23 September 1903.<ref>Building News 31 March 1899</ref>


⚫
==History==
⚫
The college’s book collection is housed in [[University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen University Library]].<ref>Michael Turnbull, [http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/letters/13060457.Why_dispersing_archives_will_rip_the_heart_out_of_Scottish_Catholic_history/ Why dispersing archives will rip the heart out of Scottish Catholic history] from ''[[Herald Scotland]]'', 3 July 2012, retrieved 15 June 2016</ref>and the archives at The Scottish Catholic Archives.
⚫
[[File:St Mary&#039;s church , Blairs College - geograph.org.uk - 11778.jpg|thumb|St Mary's Chapel, Blairs College]]
⚫
Lying on the south bank of the [[River Dee, Aberdeenshire|River Dee]], between [[Kirkton of Maryculter]] and [[Aberdeen]], the land on which the seminary was built was originally owned by the [[Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem]], before passing to the Menzies family in 1542. In 1827 the land was donated by John Menzies of Pitfodfels (1756-1843) to the [[bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland]], and the original building, Menzies House, converted into a seminary for 25 pupils. In 1829, [[Lismore Seminary]] and [[Aquhorthies College]] were merged, then closed and the students moved to Blairs College.


⚫
A major expansion was executed from 1897 to 1902 with a new chapel by Robert Curran of [[Warrington]] and new lectures rooms and accommodation by [[Robert Gordon Wilson (architect)|Robert Gordon Wilson]] of [[Aberdeen]]. The new buildings were formally opened by [[Aeneas Chisholm (Bishop of Aberdeen)|Bishop Chisholm]] on 23 September 1903.<ref>Building News 31 March 1899</ref>
The college closed in 1986, but the chapel continues to be used as a place of worship. There is a Sunday [[Mass (Catholic Church)|Mass]] in the chapel every week at 9:30 am.<ref>[http://www.dioceseofaberdeen.org/parishes/aberdeenshire/blairs Parishes] from [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen|Diocese of Aberdeen]], retrieved 15 June 2016</ref>


⚫
The college's book collection is housed in [[University of Aberdeen|Aberdeen University Library]],<ref>Michael Turnbull, [http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/letters/13060457.Why_dispersing_archives_will_rip_the_heart_out_of_Scottish_Catholic_history/ Why dispersing archives will rip the heart out of Scottish Catholic history] from ''[[Herald Scotland]]'', 3 July 2012, retrieved 15 June 2016</ref> and the archives at the Scottish Catholic Archives.
⚫
The college now homes Blairs Museum, a museum of Catholic History with significant collections of art relating to Mary Queen of Scots, the Jacobites and the history of Catholicism in Scotland. The museum is open at weekends from April to September or by appointment.


The college closed in 1986, but the chapel continue to be used as a place of worship. There is a Sunday [[Mass (Catholic Church)|Mass]] in the chapel every week at 9:30 a.m.<ref>[http://www.dioceseofaberdeen.org/parishes/aberdeenshire/blairs Parishes] from [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen|Diocese of Aberdeen]], retrieved 15 June 2016 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623222303/http://www.dioceseofaberdeen.org/parishes/aberdeenshire/blairs |date=23 June 2016 }}</ref> In June 2022, it was announced that the chapel would close as a place of worship. A final decision is to be made by the end of September 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 June 2022 |title=Historic St Mary's Chapel at Blairs set to close due to £2m of defects |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-61749053 |access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 June 2022 |title=Closure of St Mary's Chapel, Blairs |work=Independent Catholic News |url=https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/44912 |access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref>
<br />

⚫
* The college now homes Blairs Museum, a museum of Catholic History with significant collections of art relating to [[Mary, Queen of Scots]], the Jacobites and the history of Catholicism in Scotland. The museum is open at weekends from April to September or by appointment.


==Notable former pupils==
==Notable former pupils==
{{see also|Category:People educated at Blairs College}}
{{See also|Category:People educated at Blairs College}}

* [[Andrew Boyle (journalist)|Andrew Boyle]] (1919–1991), broadcaster, historian
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* [[Robert Fraser (bishop)|Robert Fraser]] (1858–1914) Bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld]]
* [[Sylvester McCoy]], actor
* Fr. [[Allan MacDonald (poet)|Allan MacDonald]] (1859–1904), priest, poet, and folklore collector in [[South Uist]] and [[Eriskay]]. A highly important figure in [[Scottish Gaelic literature]].

==Notable Staff==
* [[Edward Douglas (bishop)|Edward Douglas]], Bishop of Motherwell<ref name=domoth>[https://www.rcdom.org.uk/previous-bishops "Right Rev. Edward Douglas", Diocese of Motherwell]</ref>
* [[Peter Moran]], Bishop of Aberdeen
'''Presidents'''


* Peter J. Grant, 1864–90
⚫
* [[Robert Fraser (bishop)]] (1858-1914) Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunkeld
* [[Aeneas Chisholm (Bishop of Aberdeen)|Aeneas Chisholm]], 1890–99
* Prof R. F. Lamont BSc MBChB MD FRCOG, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
* [[C. J. Ryan]], priest and scholar of Italian studies


'''Rectors'''
{{div col}}
* James McGregor, 1899–1928
* Francis Cronin, 1928–39
* Patrick McGonagle, 1939–47
* [[Gordon Gray (cardinal)|Gordon J. Gray]], 1947–51
* [[Stephen McGill]], 1951–60
* [[Francis Thomson (bishop)|Francis S. W. Thomson]], 1960–64
* Daniel P. Boyle, 1965–67
* James Brennan, 1967–74
* Benjamin Donachie, 1974–80
* [[Keith O'Brien|Keith P. O'Brien]], 1980–85
* John McIntyre, 1985–86
{{div col end}}
==See also==
==See also==
* [[St Peter's Seminary, Cardross|St. Peter's Seminary (Cardross)]]
* [[St Peter's Seminary, Cardross|St. Peter's Seminary (Cardross)]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 41: Line 76:


{{Catholic seminaries in Scotland}}
{{Catholic seminaries in Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Coord|57.098028|-2.194735|display=title}}
{{Coord|57.098028|-2.194735|display=title}}

Latest revision as of 00:37, 10 May 2024

Not to be confused with Blair College.

Blairs Museum
Sunset at Blairs College in 2001
Map
Established1829
LocationBlairs, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
TypeCatholic church
WebsiteOfficial website
Stained-glass in Blairs College

St Mary's College, Blairs (commonly known as Blairs College), situated near Aberdeen in Scotland, was from 1829 to 1986 a junior seminary for boys and young men studying for the Roman Catholic priesthood.[1] Part of the former college now houses Blairs Museum, the museum of Scotland's Catholic heritage.[2] The New Chapel is a Category A listed building, with the other buildings listed as Category B.[3]

History

[edit]
St Mary's Chapel, Blairs College

Lying on the south bank of the River Dee, between Kirkton of Maryculter and Aberdeen, the land on which the seminary was built was originally owned by the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem, before passing to the Menzies family in 1542. In 1827 the land was donated by John Menzies of Pitfodfels (1756-1843) to the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, and the original building, Menzies House, converted into a seminary for 25 pupils. In 1829, Lismore Seminary and Aquhorthies College were merged, then closed and the students moved to Blairs College.

A major expansion was executed from 1897 to 1902 with a new chapel by Robert Curran of Warrington and new lectures rooms and accommodation by Robert Gordon Wilson of Aberdeen. The new buildings were formally opened by Bishop Chisholm on 23 September 1903.[4]

The college's book collection is housed in Aberdeen University Library,[5] and the archives at the Scottish Catholic Archives.

The college closed in 1986, but the chapel continue to be used as a place of worship. There is a Sunday Mass in the chapel every week at 9:30 a.m.[6] In June 2022, it was announced that the chapel would close as a place of worship. A final decision is to be made by the end of September 2022.[7][8]

  • The college now homes Blairs Museum, a museum of Catholic History with significant collections of art relating to Mary, Queen of Scots, the Jacobites and the history of Catholicism in Scotland. The museum is open at weekends from April to September or by appointment.

Notable former pupils

[edit]
See also: Category:People educated at Blairs College

Notable Staff

[edit]

Presidents

Rectors

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Regeneration and Renewal of Blairs College" (PDF). The Muir Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2010.
  2. ^ "Blairs College". Blairs Museum. Archived from the original on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
  3. ^ Aberdeen from British Listed Buildings, retrieved 15 June 2016
  4. ^ Building News 31 March 1899
  5. ^ Michael Turnbull, Why dispersing archives will rip the heart out of Scottish Catholic history from Herald Scotland, 3 July 2012, retrieved 15 June 2016
  6. ^ Parishes from Diocese of Aberdeen, retrieved 15 June 2016 Archived 23 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Historic St Mary's Chapel at Blairs set to close due to £2m of defects". BBC News. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Closure of St Mary's Chapel, Blairs". Independent Catholic News. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Right Rev. Edward Douglas", Diocese of Motherwell
[edit]

57°05′53″N 2°11′41″W / 57.098028°N 2.194735°W / 57.098028; -2.194735

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