Crichton Memorial Church

Today's the day ....................... for a vision

This is the imposing entrance of the Crichton Memorial Church, built in 1897 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Crichton Royal Hospital as a memorial to its founders Dr James and Elizabeth Crichton.

 The story of the Crichton begins in 1823 with the death of Dr James Crichton of Friar’s Carse who left to his widow, Elizabeth, the then considerable sum of around £100,000 to be used for charitable purposes. Elizabeth tried to endow a College of University status in Dumfries ‘for the education of poor scholars’. After a twenty year battle, she recognised that her dream was not to be and instead endowed a ‘lunatic asylum’ on the edge of the town. Elizabeth was determined to produce a hospital that was the best in Europe, not only in the treatment of patients but also in its architecture and environment. The first Physical Superintendent - Dr William Browne - was the first in a long line of very able and distinguished physicians in charge.

The doors opened in 1839 with a very different model for the care of psychiatric patients, who were housed in pavilions within a parkland setting, rather than the large anonymous asylums which were normal at the time. The Crichton soon became known for its enlightened treatment of its patients, with art, drama, and music therapy all instituted in the 1840s.

In more recent times and with the advancement of medical treatments, the need for this sort of hospital has declined.  In 1995, it became known as the Crichton Campus and Dumfries and Galloway College, the University of Glasgow, University of West of Scotland, Open University, Crichton Carbon Centre and Scotland Rural College all have a presence there - offering a wide range of learning opportunities.

And with it, Elizabeth Crichton's wish for a university campus has finally been realised.....................