The Seton Family Website - Seton Collegiate Church

The Seton Family Collegiate Church, Click to view another rendering

Seton Church was dedicated in the names of St. Mary and the Holy Cross. The Church stands on a site previously occupied by the thirteenth century parish church, two miles east-north-east of Prestonpans. Dated before 1390, when a south aisle was built by Catherine Sinclair, widow of William, the First Lord Seton, the Church was erected as a Collegiate Church on 20 June 1493. Church income was thereafter entirely devoted to the upkeep of the Provost and canons, who were responsible for the cure of souls. Later additions to the building were made by George, 4rd Lord Seton and his son, George, 5th Lord Seton who perished at Flodden in 1513. Thereafter, Lady Janet Seton, nee Hepburn, generously endowed the Church but, in 1544, it was damaged by the English, during the invasion of the Earl of Hertford, who looted and stripped the vestments, communion vessels, organ and bell before burning the timber work in the building. In 1580, the Church was united with Tranent and was well patronised until 1715 when it was entered by the Lothian Militia. Incited by the fact that Lord Winton was a Jacobite, the Militia defaced the interior and demolished tombs and pavements looking for treasure and the lead used to encase bodies. In view of their long connection with the Church, there are many monuments to the several members of the Seton family, all preserved by the Wemyss family who acquired and restored the property.