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 belongs to the Church of Scotland, which is a type of Presbyterian Church. This church serves the eastern part of Banchory, a town in a beautiful area called Royal Deeside.
Contents
History of Banchory Ternan East Church
Over 1,500 years ago, a person called Saint Ternan brought Christianity to Banchory. He started a monastery there. A monastery is a place where people live together to worship God. Saint Ternan and his followers also taught local people about farming and crafts.
In the year 1143, the Abbot of Arbroath received land that reached Banchory. A new village was then built near the churchyard. This new settlement included a church, a school, and houses.
Since that time, there has always been a Christian presence in Banchory. Several churches have been built one after another. One church opened in 1664 or 1665. Its bell is now in the old Watchtower in the graveyard.
That church was taken down, and a new one was built in 1775. However, it was too small for the growing number of people attending. So, it was taken apart in 1824. The stones from that church were used to build the current church in 1825.
On August 18, 1972, the church building was officially recognized as a Category B listed building. This means it is an important historical building.
The 1825 Church Building
The architect for Banchory Ternan East Church was John Smith. His original plans from 1825 show where people would sit. These plans are still kept by the church today. The building's style is very typical of his work. For example, the wavy shape on top of the front wall is his special "trademark." You can see it on most of his buildings.
About the Architect John Smith
John Smith (1781–1852) was known as "Tudor Johnie." He was the first city architect for Aberdeen. Most of his churches are built in a style called Perpendicular Gothic. Churches like Udny and Nigg look similar to Banchory. Other churches he designed, like Aberdeen South, were even grander.
Features of the Church Building
The most interesting parts of Banchory Ternan East Church are its tower and the windows. Like many towers built by Smith, it has four levels. These levels include an entrance porch, a gallery, a bell area, and a clock section. A decorative top with small towers finishes the look.
The windows of the main church area are in a Georgian Gothic style. They have the main shape of the Perpendicular style. But they use clear glass windows, which was common in the Georgian period. Strong supports on the outside help the building stand firm. These supports also make the plain exterior look better.
Inside the church, not much of 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 original. They are the same as those in Fordoun Church. The Chancel, which is a special area added between 1928 and 1930, also matches Smith's style. It has beautiful stained glass and detailed wooden panels.
Ministers of Banchory Ternan East Church
Many ministers have served Banchory Ternan East Church over the centuries. Here are some of them:
- Robert Stainforth (1262)
- Sir Alexander Symnson (1484)
- Sir Andrew Symson (1497) — He was a minister in the Brechin area.
- Rev James Reid (1567–1602) — He was known for being very clever.
- Rev Robert Reid (1602) — Son of James Reid.
- Rev Alexander Cant (164?) — He was removed from his role in 1651.
- Rev Robert Reid (166?) — Grandson of the earlier Robert Reid.
- Rev Robert Burnett (1682–1699) — He was buried in the churchyard.
- Rev Martin Schank (1694)
- Rev George Campbell (1748–1757) — He later became a professor in Aberdeen.
- Rev Francis Dauney (1758)
- Rev James Gregory (1800–1829) — He preached at the opening of the new church in 1825.
- Rev William Anderson (1830–1843) — He wrote a history of the local area.
- Rev James Scott (1843–1846)
- Very Rev Dr George Hutchison (1847–1894) — He was the leader of the Church of Scotland in 1877.
- Rev James Hall (1894–1920)
- Rev John W Anderson (1921–1952) — He served until he retired.
- Rev JG Grant Fleming (1952–1966) — He was a brave officer in the First World War.
- Rev AF Grimstone (1966–1968)
- Rev William Nicholson (1969–1985) — He served until he retired.
- Rev Hamish Fleming (1986–2001) — He came from a church in Aberdeen and served until he retired.
- Rev Mary M Haddow (2001-2012) — She moved to another church in 2012.
- Rev Dr Alan Murray (2013–2023) — He served until he retired.
One former minister, the Very Rev George Hutchison, was a very important leader. He served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1887.
The Church Today
The church's main goal is "To know Christ and to make Him Known." This means they want to learn about Jesus Christ and share his message. They also aim to serve the community where the church is 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, Crathes Primary School, and Banchory Academy. They also help at 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 almost £80,000.
See also
