Chapel Street
Name of Building: Chapel Street, Former Buccleuch Parish Church
Location: 33 Chapel Street, EH8 9JR, Edinburgh
Listing: Category C in 10/10/2007
Project: There are 3 main stained glass windows within the church. The first stained glass window is by Scottish artist, Oscar Paterson and it is a 1st World War memorial window installed after 1919. The Inscription says – “to the Glory of God and to honour our members who suffered and served in the War 1914 – 1919”. It is filled with strong empowering imagery. The second window is a Provost Munn memorial window. It is possible that it is also by Oscar Paterson. Finally, the third one is a 2nd World War Memorial window by Gordon Webster. The remainder of the windows is clear leaded lights deteriorated at various levels.
Conservation Approach: The Oscar Paterson window required removal for full conservation as it was severely bulged and unstable. The second Paterson window suffered from paint loss to a level where the missing painted areas needed to be re-instated to improve the visual appearance and required protection. It was crucial to preserve the remaining paint so it has been decided to re-install the 2 lancets within an Isothermal Glazing system. The Isothermal Glazing system prevents from further deterioration of the original painted work. Regarding the Webster window, minimal conservation principles have been applied with an on-site cleaning of the window and monitoring.
Before
Front of the church, before conservation.
Window WF13, outside view, on site, before conservation.
Window WF11, evidence of the vandilised window, reflected light, inside view, on-site, before conservation.
Detailed photograph of WF11, inside view, on site, before conservation.
Window WF2, evidence of paint loss, transmitted light, inside view, on-site photograph before conservation.
Two oculi from WF1 and WF3, transmitted light, inside view, workshop image before conservation.
After
Outside view of the church, after conservation with protection.
Newly designed leaded light window
Window WF13, on site, after conservation
Window WF11 installed, inside view, transmitted light, on-site photograph after conservation.
Window WF2 installed, inside view, transmitted light, on-site photograph after conservation.
Two oculi from WF1 and WF3, inside view, transmitted light, clear glass replaced with black glass, workshop image after conservation.
