Jesuit Church of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Edinburgh

Introduction

The church was designed by Father Richard Vaughan in 1860, with later alterations.

History

Jesuits were invited to come to Edinburgh by the bishop of the time. The parish has been in the care of the Jesuits since 1859.

The foundation stone was laid on 31 July 1859, the Feast of Saint Ignatius. The church was designed as a temporary church with a budget not to exceed £5,000.

The earliest recorded gift was the Holyrood Madonna, probably pre-Reformation. The flanking chapels were possibly by S Henbest Capper in 1895.

The church building dates from 1860. The church underwent more alterations in keeping with the requirements of the post Vatican II era. Renovations were made to the church structural trusses. The Stations of the Cross were restored. Thanks to the generosity of the Trustees of Historic Scotland, it can be said with confidence that the building is sound and in good repair.

Architecture and furnishings

The marble pulpit was by Henbest Capper in 1895. The Stations of the Cross were executed by Peter Rauth and blessed in 1875. The organ was installed, modified in 1963 and again in 1974.

The church presents a broad pedimented three-bay classical facade of polished cream sandstone ashlar, set back from the street. The interior is a simple rectangular wagon-vaulted aisless nave lined with Ionic pilasters and lit by four domed lanterns. The entrance has a two-leaf timber storm door with a fanlight, flanked by Roman Doric columns, and a broken segmental pediment containing a shield with a gilded sunburst emblazoned IHS above a ribbon inscribed 'AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM'. A glazed screen with small leaded panes and stained glass separates the vestibule from the church.

The roof has gilt-framed painted roundels between alternate ribs. A rear gallery houses an organ above the glazed screen at the back of the church. The nave paintings are the 'Stations of the Cross' by Bavarian artist Peter Rauth, commissioned in 1870. Once a month, Mass is celebrated in Latin with plainsong.

Parish life

The Emmaus Group provides opportunity to pray, reflect and deepen spiritual life by journeying together every month. The parish has a bookshop open after Sunday Masses, stocking books, devotional items and second-hand books.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Couples planning to marry at the church are asked to contact the parish at least 6 months before the proposed wedding date. The parish asks for volunteers to sponsor adults on their RCIA journey to being baptised or received into the Church at Easter. The SVDP group has used the St Andrews & Edinburgh Caravan Scheme, enabling people who would not otherwise have a holiday to go to Seton Sands or Fife.

Visiting

The church is located in Lauriston Street midway between the Grassmarket and Tollcross, on the edge of Edinburgh's historic Old Town. The church hosts an event to welcome alumni of Jesuit schools starting at Edinburgh University, joined by the Catholic chaplain to Edinburgh University.