Imagine this scene. Sunlight streams through the clear window behind the altar. We are standing in the Chapel of St Albert the Great. This chapel stands in the garden of 23-24 George Square in Edinburgh.
The Chapel of St Albert the Great serves as the Roman Catholic chaplaincy for the University of Edinburgh. Its story began in 1931. The Dominican Order acquired the house and started the chaplaincy.
Before the friars arrived, 23 George Square was home to Thomas Lockhart. Lockhart was a Commissioner of Excise. Boswell often visited him. Boswell noted in his diary that he enjoyed hearty dinners there. He recalled drinking porter, port, Madeira, and a bottle of Claret.
Number 24 George Square housed officers of the East India Company for decades. In 1931, the Dominicans purchased the building. They became chaplains to the Catholic community at the University of Edinburgh. The drawing room transformed into the first chapel.
As the Catholic community grew, the need for a larger chapel became apparent. The new Chapel of St Albert the Great opened in July 2012. It was the first new Dominican chapel in Scotland since the Reformation. Stuart Allan of Simpson & Brown designed it. The chapel can hold 150 people. The window behind the altar offers a clear view of the garden.
The design incorporates specific materials. Wood, glass, stone, and Corten steel echo the simplicity of the original chapel. Structural glass creates an open space. Corten columns and masonry walls balance enclosure and openness.
The interior features engineered timber from timber waste products. A sedum-covered roof insulates the chapel. It also reduces water discharge. This roof provides a habitat for garden wildlife. Materials from an old kitchen extension were reused. These materials formed the raised lawn and pathways.
The garden reflects the views of St Albert the Great. He wrote that a garden should have diverse herbs. These herbs should delight the senses and refresh the sight. About 150 different species grow here. You might find hyssop, angelica, and rosemary. Perhaps you will see thyme and camomile.
The Chapel of St Albert the Great quickly gained recognition. It received architectural awards from the Scottish Civic Trust. The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland also honored it. The Royal Institute of British Architects added to the accolades in 2013.
The upper room served as a chapel from 1931 to 2012. It was a light-filled room. The bay window offered views of a sycamore tree. The tree reflected sunlight, wind, rain, and snow. It marked the passage of the seasons.
The Chapel of St Albert the Great stands as a testament to faith. It also exemplifies architectural innovation. It offers a space for worship. It also provides a place for contemplation. Its design connects the indoors with the beauty of the garden.