Banchory Ternan East Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banchory Ternan East Church |
|
|---|---|
Banchory Ternan East Church
|
|
| 57°03′10″N 2°29′03″W / 57.05278°N 2.48417°W | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Churchmanship | Christian, Presbyterian, Reformed |
| Website | http://www.banchoryeastchurch.com/ |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Banchory East |
| Presbytery | North East and Northern Isles Formerly: Kincardine and Deeside |
Banchory Ternan East Parish Church is a church in Banchory, Scotland. It is part of the Church of Scotland, which is a Presbyterian church. The church building is on Station Road in Banchory. Today, it serves the eastern part of the town of Banchory in Royal Deeside.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
Over 1,500 years ago, a person named Saint Ternan brought Christianity to Banchory. He started a monastery there. Besides sharing Christian teachings, he and his followers also taught local people about farming, arts, and crafts.
Later, in AD 1143, the Abbot of Arbroath received land that reached Banchory. A new community grew near the churchyard. They built a church, a school, and houses.
Churches Over Time
Since that time, there has always been a Christian church in Banchory. Several churches were built one after another. One church opened in 1664 or 1665. Its bell now hangs in the old Watchtower in the graveyard.
That church was taken down, and a new one was built in 1775. However, it became too small as more people joined the church. So, it was dismantled in 1824. The stones from this old church were used to build the current church in 1825.
The church building was recognized as a special historic place on August 18, 1972. It is now a Category B listed building.
The Church Building from 1825
Architect and Style
The current Banchory Ternan East Church was designed by an architect named John Smith. His plans from 1825 show how the seating was arranged. The style of the building is very typical of his work. For example, the wavy shape on top of the front wall is his special "trade mark." You can see it on most of his buildings.
John Smith (1781–1852) was known as "Tudor Johnie." He was the first city architect for Aberdeen. Most of his churches are in a style called Perpendicular Gothic.
Key Features
The most interesting parts of Banchory Ternan Church are its tower and the windows. Like many towers built by Smith, it has four levels. These include an entrance porch, a gallery, a bell area, and a clock section. A castle-like top with small towers (pinnacles) sits on top. In Banchory, the clock is at the very top. This might be because the tower is not very tall.
The church's main windows are in a Georgian Gothic style. They have the main shapes of the Perpendicular style. But they are filled with clear glass panes, like Georgian windows. Strong supports called buttresses help hold up the side galleries inside. These, along with the corner pinnacles, make the outside look strong and beautiful.
Inside the Church
Inside, not much of John Smith's original design remains. The side galleries were removed, making the church feel more square than long. However, four iron pillars that support the back gallery are still there. They look like the original ones and are similar to those in Fordoun Church.
The Chancel, which is the area around the altar, was added between 1928 and 1930. It matches Smith's style but feels a bit lighter. The beautiful arch of the chancel frames the lovely stained glass. It also highlights the detailed wooden organ case and wall panels.
Ministers of the Church
Many ministers have served Banchory Ternan East Church over the centuries. They have guided the congregation and helped the community.
Some notable ministers include:
- Robert Stainforth (1262)
- Sir Alexander Symnson (1484)
- Rev James Reid (1567–1602) — He was known for being very clever.
- Rev George Campbell (1748–1757) — He later became a professor in Aberdeen.
- Rev James Gregory (1800–1829) — He preached at the opening of the new church in 1825.
- Very Rev Dr George Hutchison (1847–1894) — He was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1877. This is a very important leadership role in the Church of Scotland.
- Rev JG Grant Fleming (1952–1966) — He was a brave officer in the First World War.
- Rev Mary M Haddow (2001-2012) — She was the Parish Minister for over a decade.
- Rev Dr Alan Murray (2013–2023) — He served the church until his retirement.
The Church Today
The church's main goal is "To know Christ and to make Him Known." This means they want to learn more about Jesus Christ and share His message and love with as many people as possible. They also aim to serve the community where they are located.
The minister of Banchory East Church also works as a Chaplain. This means they support students and staff at several local schools, including Banchory Primary School, Hill of Banchory Primary School, and Crathes Primary School. They also serve Banchory Academy and Bellfield Care Home.
In 2009, the church had 636 members. By the end of 2019, there were 484 members. The church also had an annual income of nearly £80,000.
See also
