OUR LADY of MOUNT CARMEL
BANFF
The small church dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, was built
around 1871, and is located at the eastern end of Sandyhill Road, one of the main streets
of Banff, and the first turning on your left as you enter the town from Macduff.
The dedication to Our Lady of Mount Carmel recalls the monastery
founded in the town by the Carmelites in the 13th century.
The design has been described as being in a quirky Gothic style, and in the words of
the late Peter Anson, a quaint and picturesque little place (of which one can be fairly
certain that the Gothic details were not copied out of a hook, but are the fruit of the
architect’s vivid imagination) ".
In 1870, through the kindness of the Earl of Fife, a site was made available for the
erection of a Catholic Church and House, in what was described at the time as a desirable
locality on a portion of ground in Sandyhill Road.
For some 80 years up to this date, the Catholic congregation in Banff had worshipped
in a portion of a building in Coldhome Street, which externally could not be taken as
being an Ecclesiastical edifice.
Prior to that, they had used as a place of worship, a building known as the
‘Gardener’s Hall. The new Church was designed by Mr. Alexander Ellis, the
Architect responsible for the building of the Cathedral of St. Mary, in Huntly Street,
Aberdeen The interior incorporates some detailed plasterwork, and in 1914 a new altar was
formed ( possibly by C. Menart) using a blend of marbles from
Belgium, Italy and Greece, together with the addition of a Reredos made from Flemish oak.
A memorial Chapel, built into the south facade, has also been added.
Times of Mass :-
Saturday Vigil 6.30 pm
SundayMass ll.3Opm
Resident Priest Rev. L. J. Lochrie. S.J.