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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Site Details
Name
Tron Church
Town, District or Village
Parish
City or County
Edinburgh
Status
Country
Scotland
Grid Ref
Grid Ref N
Grid Ref E
Notes
Built initially as one of two churches required to house the congregations displaced by Charles I\'s decision toi erect St Giles Church into a cathedral.
\'a striking example of the influence of Dutch mannerism as illustrated in Henrick de Kayser\'s \'Architecture Moderna\' \' (1631). (Colvin)
Alternative Names
The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
Alt classic
Name
Current Name
Notes
Tron Kirk
Yes
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Building Type Classification
The building is classified under the following categories:
Class classic
Classification
Original Classification
Notes
Church
Not Known
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Street Addresses
The following street addresses are associated with this building:
Str Add classic
Address
Current Address
Notes
Tron Church High Street
Yes
Hunter Square
Yes
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Events
The following date-based events are associated with this building:
event classic
Event Type
From
To
Notes
Build/construction
1637
1647
Alterations and additions
1785
1787
Alterations for road widening in connection with the South Bridge and Hunter Square. Shortening of church by one bay to east and west and reduction of the south aisle to a slight pedimented projection with detail carefully matching original.
Reconstruction
1828
Steeple rebuilt after fire in 1824.
1888
1889
Internal re-fitting - now demolished
Alteration/conversion
1953/10/02
Town Council to purchase church from Church of Scotland for £12,500, and adapt it for civic purposes at estimated cost of £9,250 - adaptations to include introduction of new floor at gallery level and sub-division of ground floor into smaller hall with retiring rooms, etc
Proposed
1960/05/13
redevelopment by Highland Engineering Ltd per Builder p938
Restoration
1974
1976
row(s) 1 - 7 of 7
People
Design and Construction
The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
design classic
Person
Partnership Group
Role
From
To
Notes
John Scott
H
Wright
1636
1647
John Mylne junior
G
Architect
1637
1647
John Baxter
E
Architect
1785
1787
Alterations for road widening in connection with the South Bridge and Hunter Square. Shortening of church by one bay to east and west and reduction of the south aisle to a slight pedimented projectionwith detail carefully matching original.
R & R Dickson
F
Architectural practice
1828
Rebuilt steeple after fire in 1824.
Richard Dickson
F
Architect
1828
Rebuilt steeple after fire in 1824.
Robert Dickson
F
Architect
1828
Rebuilt steeple after fire in 1824.
(Sir) Robert Rowand Anderson
A
1888
1889
Internal re-fitting - now demolished
Wardrop & Anderson
A
1888
1889
Internal re-fitting - now demolished
Andrew Renton
C
Architect
1974
1976
Restoration
Andrew Stewart Brown
C
Architect
1974
1976
Project architect
Andrew Stewart Brown
D
Architect
1977
1981
Continuation of restoration work and scheme for re-use of interior (not adopted). Partner in charge?
James Walter Thorburn Simpson
D
Architect
1977
1981
Continuation of restoration work and scheme for re-use of interior (not adopted).
Simpson & Brown
D
Architectural practice
1977
1981
Continuation of restoration work and scheme for re-use of interior (not adopted).
David McArthy
B
Repairs and redecoration - date unknown
John Watson
B
Repairs and redecoration - date unknown
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Related Buildings, Structures and Designs
References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this building:
bio ref classic
Author
Year
Title
Part
Publisher
Notes
APSD
The Dictionary of Architecture
ed Wyatt Papworth
The Architectural Publication Society (8v 1852-1892)
Colvin, Howard
2008
A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840
London: YUP. 4th edition
Gifford, John, McWilliam, Colin and Walker, David M
1984
Edinburgh (The Buildings of Scotland)
Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd
p174
Hay, George
1957
The Architecture of Scottish Post-Reformation Churches 1560-1843
Oxford: Clarendon Press
figure 15
RCAHMS
Inventory of Edinburgh
p35
Wood, M (ed.)
Extracts from the Records of the City of Edinburgh, 1642-55
p40
Wood, M (ed.)
Extracts from the Records of the City of Edinburgh 1626-41
pp307-11 for the estimate
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Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this building:
period ref classic
Periodical Name
Date
Edition
Publisher
Notes
British Architect
1888/08/03
*
Wardrop and Anderson work
British Architect
1889/01/11
*
Wardrop and Anderson work
RIAS Quarterly
1924
no 9
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)
Watson's obituary
Builder
1960/05/13
'Historic Site Acquired' p938
Builder
1953/10/02
p525
The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club
1956
xxix
pp99-103
Edinburgh Evening Courant
1928/10/09
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Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this building:
arc ref classic
Source
Name
Cat Number
Item Name
Notes
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS
Dick Peddie and McKay Collection
DPM/1880/72/1 (Wardrop & Anderson work)
Edinburgh City Archives
Edinburgh Town Council Minutes
3 June 1788
Historic Environment Scotland
Listed Buildings Register
27552
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