1825 - 2000
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The foundation stone of the tower of the present church building was laid on 10th May 1824, by Mr. Burnett, son of Sir Robert Burnett of Crathes; he was assisted by Mr. Farquharson of Finzean, M.P. The ceremony was preceded by a procession and was watched by “an immense concourse of spectators” (Aberdeen Journal,12th May, 1824). This newspaper commented that “the erection of this splendid Church (in a most conspicuous situation) will complete the striking appearance of one of the most picturesque and beautiful districts of this country.” Unfortunately we do not know which particular stone was laid at this ceremony. |
| The church was opened for divine service on 17th July 1825, when “the Rev. Mr. Gregory preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon from Genesis chapter 28 verses 16 and 17 (Aberdeen Journal,27th July, 1825). This text is equally appropriate 175 years later. It reads:- “And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.” “And he was afraid, and said, “How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” The congregation who worshipped here in 1825 would find several changes in the building today, the most outstanding being the addition to the chancel to the north. In 1825 the pulpit stood in the centre of the original north wall and was reached by a spiral staircase. The choir sat below the pulpit on either side. Galleries extended around the other three sides of the church. Later (in 1878) an organ was installed below the pulpit. This “first class cabinet organ” was purchased for the sum of 125 guineas with a “liberal discount in case of early payment” (Kirk Session Minutes). In October, 1842, the Rev. William Anderson, minister of this parish, writing in the New Statistical Account of Scotland (Kincardine) described the church as “a plain substantial building in the Gothic style, sufficiently neat and commodious within, but defective in having the tower too low, and in having neither a vestry nor porches behind.” However, the church was to remain unaltered for over 100 years. In 1928, under the ministry of Rev. J. W. Anderson, a choice of two schemes for the “Restoration of the Church” was submitted to the congregation. The more extensive of these was chosen and the work carried out during the next two years. This scheme involved taking down most of the north wall of the church, which included the foundation stone of the 1775 Kirk as well as one laid in 1825. An apse and chancel were built to contain the organ, choir seats and communion table. The vestry and choir room were also built. At the same time, the two side galleries were removed and the church was wired for electricity, although this was not installed until 1932. The total cost of these alterations was £4,436-14-7; the new organ accounted for £475 of this total and new furniture for £147-7-6. The first wedding to take place in the beautifully restored church, on 14th August 1930, was that of Mr. & Mrs. William Hendry, Braeside, Banchory, both of whom were to sing in the choir for 50 years. The next major change to the building was in 1971. During this year the church was re-wired and re-decorated, and its simple beauty greatly enhanced by the installation of the stained glass window in the chancel. The cost of this window was covered by various bequests to the church. The ancient stone font which stand in the vestibule of the church probably came from the 1775 church. Beside it is the 1775 foundation stone which had been lost for many years and then found built into the wall surrounding the church. Also in the vestibule is a very old silver plate of unknown origin. The bell from the old kirk, which is dated 1664, is in the watchtower in the churchyard; the bell in the present building is dated 1826. The wooden font with a silver basin in the chancel was gifted by Margaret, Lady Burnett of Leys, in 1840. The oak communion table was donated by Miss Mary Ann Thomson, Migvie, in 1920. We have no record of the size of the congregation in 1825, but in 1842 the Rev. William Anderson had “an average of 1,000 communicants” (New Statistical Account of Scotland). At the time of the Disruption in 1843, many members left the congregation to establish the Free Church in Banchory, now the West Parish Church. Our congregation was greatly reduced for many years, and in 1873 there were only 638 members. This then rose steadily to 1100 in 1922 and to 1300 at the present time. In 1929 the name of our church was changed from Church of Banchory-Ternan to Banchory Ternan East Parish Church. During the last 175 years, many excellent men have been minister of this parish. Perhaps the most widely-acclaimed was the rev. George Hutchison; he was a man of outstanding qualities and during the tenure of his ministry here (from1848 until 1894) he became Moderator of the Church of Scotland in 1877. He was followed at Banchory by the Rev. James Hall, and then in 1920 by the Rev. J. W. Anderson, who retired in 1952. The following year the congregation was fortunate to secure the services of the Rev. J. G. Grant Fleming. Mr. Grant Fleming had been awarded both the D.S.O. and the M.C. whilst serving as a combatant officer during the First World War. During the Second World War he served as a Chaplin eventually being appointed Deputy Assistant Chaplin General in the Army. He was also mentioned in Despatches and held the Territorial Decoration. Mr. Grant Fleming ministered here until his retirement in 1965. After a relatively short tenure, the Rev. A. F. Grimstone was succeeded by the Rev. William Nicholson in 1969 who retained the charge until he retired in 1985. For a short period at the end of Mr. Nicholson’s ministry the parish was linked with Durris Parish to enable administrative matters in that parish to be resolved. In 1986 the Rev. Hamish K. Fleming was called to the vacant charge from St. Mark’s Church in Aberdeen and continues as the Parish minister today. The first choirmaster was appointed in 1857. He was Mr. Thomas Davidson, a plumber, and the Kirk Session agreed to pay him a salary of fifteen pound a year. In addition to “leading the psalmody in the Church” and training the choir, Mr. Davidson was “held bound to teach classes” in order that the “parishioners generally should cultivate Church music” (Kirk Session Minutes). Since then many choirmasters and organists have led the worship in the church. One of the most devoted and noteworthy of these was Mr. Victor J. Mackieson, who was organist from April 1928, until his death in December 1972. He was followed by Mr Gill and then by Mrs. Margaret Smith. The present organist and choirmaster, Mr. Kyle McCallum, was appointed in April 1989. Under his leadership music continues to play an important part in the services of worship. The choir’s repertoire of anthems extends to traditional and modern compositions. An orchestra comprising members of the congregation and young people has recently been formed. The first Sunday School was founded by the Rev. William Anderson in the 1830’s. He was such an excellent teacher that he attracted pupils from many miles around; indeed, men and women as well as children attended his classes. Because of the success of his classes, Lady Burnett of Leys donated a new building to accommodate the pupils. The Sunday School continues to be an important element of congregational life in the year 2000. It must be said, however, that the counter-attractions of the many activities families now pursue on Sundays have led to a reduction in the Sunday School roll from 150 in 1975 to 40 today. The Kirk Session is actively addressing the issue in an effort to reverse the trend. However, the Joint Church Youth Group currently run by the Rev. Tony Stephen is thriving. Youth activities have always been an important part in the life of the church. The present structure originated in 1992, when Laurie Wheeler, a young lady youth worker from a Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington State, USA, became the first full time Youth Leader. To maximise the effectiveness of her work, the East and West Church Kirk Sessions combined to establish a Joint Youth Programme. Laurie returned to the United States to study for the ministry in 1995 and the Rev. Tony Stephen was appointed. He continues to develop youth activities in a variety of interesting ways. The Youth Group have been able to contribute to projects both at home and abroad and currently about 100 young people participate in the Youth Programme. The 1st Banchory Company of the Boy’s Brigade provides uniformed Christian Youth activity in the town, again with both Churches of Scotland being associated with the company. The company was re-formed in 1992 under the direction of Captain David Laing, and East Church elder, who is ably assisted by officers from both parishes. The company is in good heart and participated in a wide range of activities including sporting events and overseas camps. The Kirk Session today comprises 66 elders, of whom 15 are ladies. This is a 50 percent increase since the publication was first prepared for the 150th Anniversary in 1975. the Session has recently adopted the Work Group or Committee system of addressing the core functions of the Kirk Session. Committees work to achieve agreed objectives in following areas – Communications, Education, Mission, Membership, Pastoral matters and Worship. Activities are co-ordinated by a group comprising the convenors of each committee. The Congregational Board of 24 members (12 elders and 12 members of the congregation) attends to financial, property and other temporal affairs. In 1976 they were responsible for the building of a new Church Hall in the grounds of the Manse immediately to the East of the Church. This accommodation was extended in 1989/90 be the addition of two further halls, named the St, Ternan and St. Nicholas Room. The remainder of the feu forms the car park. The old Hall in Arbeadie Road was sold in 1988 when it was considered unsuitable for the use by the congregation. Early in 2000 a new Church Office was established in the annex to the hall. It is run by a part-time secretary and has already proved to be a most useful facility for all Church organisations. A website is under construction. This rapidly developing method of communication will provide us with an additional means of keeping in touch with members and the wider community. Formed in 1973 by fourteen members, the Men’s Group is an active organisation in the congregation today with 56 members. In addition to their regular programme of meetings, each year they undertake to raise funds for projects which benefit the Church or the wider community. Undoubtedly the most ambitious venture undertaken has been the restoration of the old Watch Tower in the graveyard. This project was completed over two years at a cost of £6000 and earned the distinction of winning the Aberdeenshire Design Award from Aberdeenshire Council in 1998. Banchory-Ternan East Woman’s Guild was one of the first branches to be established in Scotland, one year before the movement was introduced generally in the Church of Scotland in 1887. The Rev. George Hutchison, in the same year as he was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland was the first president. Now known simply as “The Guild”, it contributes much to the life and work of the congregation and to the wider church. The Guild is involved nationally in the Church of Scotland Guilds Project Partnership, which had raised £500,000 since 1997. Good Christian fellowship is one of the main objectives of an active group of hill walkers who arrange an interesting schedule of expeditions in the Spring to Autumn period of each year. These range from evening walks to more energetic ‘Munro’ conquests in the Cairngorms and other areas. Young Mothers and Toddlers meet regularly in the Church Hall. As this anniversary publication goes to press, arrangements to the mark 175th Anniversary of the Church are well advanced. There will be a week of congregational activities in June. The actual anniversary, 17th July, 2000, will be marked on Sunday 16th July 2000 by a special morning service when The Very Rev Alan Main TD, MA, BD, STM, PhD, has been invited to preach. Not only is he a well-known North East Minister and former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, but he also served as a Locum Minister at Banchory-Ternan East in the late 1960’s. From the 175th Anniversary Booklet © 2000 |