In 1772, soon after she came into her fortune following the death of her husband, Lady Glenorchy decided to found a chapel in Edinburgh with the intention of being in communion with the Church of Scotland. The chapel was intended to serve as an independent place of worship for those, particularly the poor, who could not be accommodated within the existing parish church buildings.
In 1772, after her husband's passing and the receipt of her inheritance, Lady Glenorchy decided to build a chapel in Edinburgh that would allow her to participate in the Church of Scotland. The chapel was intended to provide an alternative place of worship for those who were unable to access the local parish churches.