It was formerly believed, on the evidence of Boece, that Malcolm ii. in
a battle with the Danes, looking up to the Chapel of St. Moloc at
Mortlach, vowed that, if successful, he would there erect a cathedral
and found a bishop’s see. The record of the See of Aberdeen appeared to
support this statement, and mentioned further that the see was
afterwards transferred by David i. to Aberdeen. But Professor Cosmo
Innes has
[Illustration: FIG. 1341.--St. Moloc’s or St. Moluog’s Church. Plan.]
proved that these stories are forgeries, and must be entirely rejected.
It is, however, probable that there was an early religious settlement at
Mortlach, which may have given some foundation for the above fables. At
all events, in 1157, a Bull of Pope Adrian IV. mentions the monastery of
Mortlach and the five churches belonging to it.
The existing structure (Fig. 1341) consists of an old building of simple
oblong form, 83 feet in length internally by 24 feet in width, to which
was added, in 1826, a large north wing or aisle. This wing was further
vefynded in 1876, and now measures, internally, 36 feet long by 26 feet.
A small wing or projection has also been added to the south to contain
an organ, and the whole church has been reseated and fitted up for
service in modern style. There are two lancet windows in the east end,
which, together with some portions of the walls, may be ancient (perhaps
of thirteenth century date), as it is understood that these windows were
found built up, and were reopened during the late restoration, but the
remainder of the church has been completely modernised.
[Illustration: FIG. 1342.--St. Moloc’s or St. Moluog’s Church. Effigy of
Alexander Leslie.]
Under a pointed arch in the thickness of the north wall, close to the
east end, lies the recumbent effigy of a knight in armour (Fig. 1342),
supposed to be the monument of Alexander Leslie, the first of
Kininvie,[155] who died about 1549. The figure used to stand upright,
but has now been placed in its proper position.
A remarkable sculptured stone[156] stands in the flat ground below the
church, where the battle with the Danes is said to have taken place, and
of which it is traditionally believed to be a memorial.