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The Collegiate Church of Corstorphine.

The Collegiate Church of St John the Baptist, Corstorphine, is intimately associated with the Forrester family. Adam Forrester, a burgess and provost of Edinburgh, acquired the manor in the year 1376, and the title of Lord Forrester of Corstorphine continued in the family till the year 1763.

Corstorphine College (1999) looking from the west.

There was a chapel at Corstorphine at least as early as the year 1128, which was granted to the new Abbey of Holyrood. Of this original chapel no trace now remains but it stood to the north side of the present building, on part of the ground now occupied by the existing north transept. The church was raised to collegiate status and endowed by Sir John Forrester in 1429 although the foundation was only completed by a Papal Bull in 1444, at which date Sir John was probably still alive. Sir John filled the office of Great Chamberlain of Scotland, and, on the return of James I. from England, he was appointed Master of the Household in 1424. His foundation consisted of a provost, four prebendaries, and two singing boys.

Tomb of Sir John Forrester and his wife showing the Forrester arms. {Argent, three hunting horns sable.}

However, it should not be forgotten that his father, Sir Adam Forester who died in 1405, is known to have built a chapel dedicated to St John the Baptist adjoining the then parish church. In 1425-6 a charter was granted by King James I. for the endowment of three chaplainries, "in the chapel contiguous to the parish church of Corstorphine", and securing to it, amongst other things, "the annual rents in Edinburgh bestowed by the late Sir Adam Forester".

View of the church from the south-east, last century.	Plan of the church.

The church continues to be used in modern times being the parish church of Corstorphine.

For further information: http://www.angelfire.com/ct2/corstorphine/index3j.html

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