Fowlis Easter - the most complete medieval church in Scotland - is closing and could go on the open market at the end of the year. The loss of it would be catastrophic. I see new wonderful details every time I visit. Come and have a look with me: 
Founded in 1453, the survivals here are incredible! Some are small elements like the lovely carved doors of its rood screen:
It has a font with scenes from the Passion of Christ. You can see the efforts of iconoclasts here, but thankfully it’s still in good enough shape to recognise all the scenes. Here you can see the Harrowing of Hell in the centre panel.
It has a magnificent sacrament house which is flaking badly and needs some attention. It’s tucked behind an organ now but it’s a lovely lovely thing.
Oh, and there’s still some paint traces on it too! Polychromed sculpture in Scotland is incredibly rare.
And I haven’t even mentioned that the church has 3 pre-Reformation panel paintings! I did a quick count and I think there are 7 surviving panel paintings made for Scottish churches and Fowlis has THREE OF THEM! First up, a predella or rood screen panels with saints and Jesus.
Fowlis also has a painted rood! This went above the screen and was a focal point for ordinary folks worshipping in the nave. Do other roods survive in the British Isles? Idk - vanishingly few if so. This is enormously significant!
It’s also really bloody hard to photograph so here are some details. I especially love the tears flowing down John the Evangelist’s face.
Oh but wait, is that THE ORIGINAL ALTARPIECE? Yes! It has been cut down and is a bit damaged but I can’t overstate how important this gorgeous thing is.
There’s other stuff here too - a 1490s Netherlandish plate featuring Adam and Eve and the jougs (I think?) to punish wayward parishioners.
Some of these things are well-known to Scottish historians, but more generally the church is rarely noticed let alone celebrated. And we could soon lose it all! It’s such a treasure and it breaks my heart to think of the building left empty and the paintings sold off.
If you’re interested in medieval art and architecture then please tell people about Fowlis, write about it, ask to borrow the paintings for an exhibition, come to an event there. We need some serious pressure to keep this brilliant place alive and whole. ❤️
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