The Early Church at Lochee
The history of St. Mary’s in Lochee begins with the acquisition of Wellburn House, a property just three quarters of a mile to the west of St Mary’s, by Fr Stephen Keenan in 1847. Wellburn House was initially used as an orphanage (?) and academy for the Catholic community of Dundee. A temporary chapel was established in the renovated stable of Wellburn House, and Mass was celebrated there for the first time on September 8, 1848. As the Catholic population in Lochee continued to grow, it became evident that a larger church was needed to accommodate the faithful.
To meet the need for a larger and more permanent church, Fr George Davidson, who took charge of the mission in 1860, began the construction of a present church in St Mary’s Lane, at the heart of Lochee.
Welburn House
Wellburn House, located in Lochee, was originally occupied by a dairyman and farmer named Peter Mitchell. After Mitchell’s death, the property was purchased by Mr. Peter Brown, a Dundee architect, who demolished the old buildings and constructed a new cottage with outhouses. The property was later acquired by Mr. Alexander Pitcairn, a retired merchant, who renamed it Wellburn.
In 1847, the property was purchased by Father Stephen Keenan, who established an orphanage and academy there. The stable of Wellburn was converted into a temporary chapel for the Catholics of Lochee.
In 1857, Fr Augustine Kinsella oversaw the construction of a new church in the grounds of Wellburn (see below). This chapel, with spaces for 800 people served the Lochee congregation for many years.
The property was later renamed St. Clement’s Academy. The academy provided religious, commercial, and professional training for youths in the district. In 1849, a new wing was added to the academy to accommodate more students. The academy eventually came under the ownership of the Sisters of Mercy and later the Little Sisters of the Poor, who used it as a refuge and home for the aged poor of the city. It was closed in 2015 and was demolished in 2021.
