Our Lady, Star Of The Sea

Introduction

Our Lady, Star Of The Sea in North Berwick was designed by Dunn and Hansom of Newcastle in 1879. The church is a Category B listed building, listed on 26/05/1988.

History

The gateway was designed by Archibald MacPherson in 1880, with pillars of Amble stone. The chancel and sacristy were added by John Kinross RSA in 1889. The Lady Chapel to the north was added by R S Lorimer in 1901.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is built in a simple Gothic style with squared Newcastle freestone and ashlar dressings. The west gable has a pointed moulded arched doorway and a large traceried carved triangular window with trefoil tracery. The north elevation has a timber bellcote from 1892 with a piended slate roof to the west. The interior has a timber ceiling and an organ gallery at the west end.

The sanctuary has a travertine marble floor installed in 1971. The Lady Chapel contains a notable stained glass window titled 'Mary, Star of the Sea', unattributed. The church displays varied lead-paned and stained glass glazing patterns, purple slates with black terracotta ridge and gable cross finials, and plain copings and corbelled eaves at nave and chancel. Inside, a taller chancel opens through a pointed arch with a pointed vault, while an arched organ gallery to the south features pierced quatrefoils in a stone balustrade. The gateway is fitted with a decorative wrought-iron overflow and gate made by Bain and Co of Edinburgh.