St Margaret of Scotland, Aberdeen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Margaret's, Gallowgate |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Language(s) | English |
| Denomination | Scottish Episcopal Church |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| Website | https://stmargaretsgallowgate.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Margaret of Scotland |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Aberdeen & Orkney |
St Margaret of Scotland, also known as St Margaret's, Gallowgate, is a special church in Aberdeen, Scotland. It belongs to the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is a Christian church in Scotland.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
The Gallowgate area of Aberdeen used to be quite poor in the mid-1800s. Many people lived in crowded conditions. St Margaret's Church started in 1867 as a "mission church." This means it was set up to help people in that area.
How St Margaret's Began
A priest named Father John Comper started the church. He was one of the first people in Scotland to follow the Oxford Movement. This was a group that wanted to bring back older traditions in the Church. Father Comper felt that the churches in Aberdeen were not reaching the poorer people. So, he decided to help. First, he started a convent (a place where nuns live) in 1863. Then, he opened the Gallowgate church.
The first church was just a room Father Comper rented. By 1870, a building that was both a chapel and a school was ready. Father Comper then left his job at another church, St John's, to work full-time at St Margaret's.
Building the Church and More
The church sits on a high spot in Aberdeen. The main architect was James Matthews. Later, more buildings were added. In 1879, a separate school was built. Then, the St Nicholas chapel and the rectory (the priest's house) were added in 1898 and 1906. These were designed by Father Comper's son, Ninian Comper.
A church hall was built in 1908 by architect George Irvine. In the same year, Ninian Comper added the aisle (a walkway) and an oak screen inside the church.
Beautiful Stained-Glass Windows
The church has many beautiful stained-glass windows. They show different religious scenes and ideas. Some of these windows were also designed by Ninian Comper.
One special window is in the St Nicholas Chapel. It is dedicated to the Sea Cadets. This window includes symbols like the arms of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney and the City of Aberdeen. It also has words from a poem and a Psalm. The ichthus symbol in the middle is a Greek sign for "Jesus Christ, God, Son, Saviour."
Today, Historic Environment Scotland lists the church as a "Category B" building. This means it is an important historic building.
How People Worship Here
Worship at St Margaret's follows the Anglo-Catholic tradition. This is sometimes called "High church." It means the services often include special ceremonies and music.
Service Times
Every Sunday, there is a main service called Parish Mass at 10:30 AM. There are also shorter services called Low Mass on Tuesday mornings at 8 AM and 10 AM.
St Margaret's is one of the few churches in Scotland that has a regular Gaelic Mass. This service is held on the first Saturday of every month at midday.
