Monastery of Paisley
| Paisley Abbey | |
|---|---|
Paisley Abbey and grounds
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| Location | Abbey Close Paisley, Renfrewshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Parish kirk |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Category A |
| Designated | 1971 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Years built | 7th century 1163 |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Greenock and Paisley |
| Clergy | |
| Minister(s) | Revd Alan D. Birss |
| Laity | |
| Director of music | Dr. George McPhee |
Paisley Abbey is a former Cluniac monastery, and current Church of Scotland Protestant parish kirk, located on the east bank of the White Cart Water in the centre of the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, about 12 miles (19 km) west of Glasgow, in Scotland.
It is believed that Saint Mirin (or Saint Mirren) founded a community on this site in 7th century. Some time after his death a shrine to the Saint was established becoming a popular site of pilgrimage and veneration. The name Paisley may derive from the Brythonic Passeleg, 'basilica' (derived from the Greek), i.e. 'major church', recalling an early, though undocumented, ecclesiastical importance.
In 1163, Walter FitzAlan, the first High Steward of Scotland issued a charter for a priory to be set up on land owned by him in Paisley. It was dedicated to SS. Mary, James, Mirin and Milburga. Around 13 monks came from the Cluniac priory at Much Wenlock in Shropshire to found the community. Paisley grew so rapidly that it was raised to the status of abbey in 1245. Monks from Paisley founded Crossraguel Abbey in Carrick, Ayrshire, in 1244. In 1307, Edward I of England had the abbey burned down. However, it was rebuilt later in the 14th century. William Wallace, born in nearby Elderslie is widely believed to have been educated for some time when he was a boy in the abbey.
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Wikipedia