200 year celebrations

INTERESTING  FACTS  ABOUT  PETERHEAD OLD PARISH CHURCH.

Compiled by Hazel Ross, our faithful Session Clerk, for brochure marking the 200 years of the present church building (1806-2006)

Glory be to God  for all the work that has been done in Peterhead Old Parish for the past 200 years. For two centuries many people have given of their time , talents and money . They have donated gifts often anonymously. They have looked after the fabric, ensured the continuation of Worship in our Church, cared for their Souls and that of others.     Now it is our turn.

The Muckle Kirk which is now a category A  listed building was completed in two years the foundation stone being laid in1804 and the doors being opened to the public on the 14^th of August 1806. These dates are marked on a stone above the front door. The Church cost £3575  12/6d  and was intended to contain1875 people although a congregation of 2000 could quite well assemble in it.

    ‘Massive building,  Minus beauty,  Tempests shielding, Does its duty’               (from  A History of Peterhead by J. Findlay )

J. Findlay also wrote ‘ The clumsy barn like appearance of the Church which, except for the spire, is without beauty of any kind.’

There was a massive dispute in Peterhead about the building of the Church. Two thirds of the cost was put on the shoulders of the Feuars and naturally they didn't like it. In fact they took their case to the Court of Session in Edinburgh but lost.     

Baptismal Font at the East Door:-    This rough hewn grey granite font was found many years ago on the shore near the old Crosse & Blackwell site. It was taken to the Muckle Kirk grounds where it lay. Recently it has been taken inside and is now used as a decorative plant holder.  At present it is not quite clear as to whether it came from the previous church which only lasted 30yrs due to structural problems or whether it came from the earlier church before that ; some of  the ruined walls of which can still be seen today at the Auld Kirk Yard Cemetery, South Road. Perhaps there is another explanation but at least it seems fitting that it has been returned to a church setting . 

In the Vestry:-  On your left as you enter are large bookcases with glass doors set on top of cupboards. There is a small brass plate with the following inscription :-

            Desiring to advance the religious welfare of this, the Old Parish of Peterhead and to be helpful to his successors in the charge thereof  The Reverend James Stewart D.D.  The Present Minister Gifted in Trust to the Presbytery  of Deer Acting under the constitution of the Church of Scotland These Cases of Theological & Other Works For the use of his said successors in Office The Ministers of the Old Parish of Peterhead  ( Peterhead 27^th April 1899 ).

The Presbytery of Deer no longer exists having been merged with the Presbytery of Turriff   to become the Presbytery of Buchan which was inaugurated in January 1976 .

 Rededication Plaque on your right hand side as you enter by the West Door:-

This plaque tells of the rededication service on Sun.30^th April 1967 conducted by the Very Rev. Neville Davidson D.D. when the new organ, other furnishings along with the new pulpit were presented by the Company of Merchants to commemorate the ministry of the Rev. H. Douglas Swan  1915-1951 and the service given by many families to the Church. 

C.B. Davidson Plaque on the left hand side as you enter by the West Door.

This is in memory of Catherine Baird Davidson a noted Benefactor to the fabric of the Church. 

War Memorial  1920 :- The large War Memorial made of grey granite is on the wall directly  in front of you at the front entrance . Below it a smaller one added in 1949. These commemorate the men of the parish who lost their lives in both World Wars. 

The Spire and Bell Tower :- The spire which is  118 feet high makes the Muckle Kirk an obvious landmark in the town. The Bell Tower houses a large Mears bell which had been silent for 15 years. Now  in 2006 after extensive work to make sure the Bell Tower is safe the Bell is ringing to summon the worshippers once more.

The Pulpit 1967 :- This wooden pulpit on the South Wall of the church is accessed by one set of stairs .( The previous one which can be seen in a photograph in the Session Room had stairs on either side.) It has three beautiful panels depicting from left  to right  the Arms of the Company of Merchants of Edinburgh, the Emblem of the Church of Scotland and the Arms of the burgh of Peterhead. The mottos on each are as follows :-  Terraque Marique  ----------  By Land and Sea  

Nec Tamen Consumebatur --------      It was not however being consumed

 Veritas  Vincit --------------------------   Truth  Conquers

The panels were designed by Mr Ian Watt an Elder in the Church. 

In the pulpit is a CH3 Hymnary  presented    ‘in gratitude and affection for use in the pulpit to the Old Parish Church ‘ by the Rev. James N. S. Alexander  an interim minister from Oct.1956 to Sept 1957. 

Sand Timer:-  The sand timer which was kept in the pulpit  was said  to be turned upside down three times. A forty five minute sermon!  Most folks would consider that too long these days. In recent years the frame was renewed by a kind donor. 

The Stained Glass Windows:-  To the right of the pulpit is a brightly coloured window in shades of red called Christ in the Universe. It depicts Our Lord in control of the Universe  with his feet resting on Earth and includes the following line ‘Nor May His Devices with the Heavens be Guessed ‘ taken from a poem by Alice Meynell.                        O Be Prepared My Soul!

                                    To read the inconceivable, to scan

                                    The myriad forms of God those stars unroll

When in our turn we show them a man.

The Plaque beneath explains that this window commemorates the 50th anniversary of  the Woman’s Guild in 1966. This window was affectionately known as the Toffee Window because it had been paid for by the proceeds of selling so much home made toffee. 

Christ and the Fishermen:- This 2^nd stained glass window mainly coloured in shades of green and blue depicts Jesus at work with fishermen and bears the words ‘Come with me and I will make you fishers of men.’ This was a gift from a Church member in 1967. Below is a small plaque in memory of George and Nellie Wilson.

Both windows were made by the Benedictine Monks of Pluscarden Priory ,in particular , Brother Gilbert who died earlier this year.

The Organ and Choir;- Seated directly in front of the pulpit and facing the congregation is the choir resplendent in blue robes which were dedicated on the 3^rd Nov. 2002. The former ruby red robes dedicated in 1955 (see photograph in Session room) now grace choir members in Embangweni Mission Station, Malawi.

The Rushworth and Draper two manual organ was installed in 1967. The pipes can be seen in the West Gallery.

In more recent years money was raised to buy a Clavanova and this is usually used to accompany the Introit and Anthem. 

The Communion Table:-       The  Communion Table and chairs were gifted by James Davidson Smith, a grocer of the town and an Elder from 1921-1950 . Carved on the front are the words  ‘ Do this in remembrance of me‘

The Communion Silver:-  In regular use at Communion is a Chalice with ‘For the Communion Service 1752’ inscribed on it.   Whilst  the four silver plates used for the bread have a later date - ‘Communion Service 1877. ‘  

Baptismal Font:- The simple design of this Baptismal Font shows off the beautiful polished Peterhead pink granite.  It is still  used today  and bears a plaque with the words ‘gifted by Miss Margaret  Mitchell for use in Peterhead Old Parish Church 1923.’ 

Big New English Bible:- The big Bible on the lectern which is used for readings during a service was gifted by Bill and Millicent McDonald in memory of their son William James. Bill was Session Clerk for 40years and Millicent was one of the organists. The Lectern has the Burning Bush , symbol of the Church of Scotland , carved on the front. 

Banners :-    There are 7 banners which usually hang in the Sanctuary .

The Creation  - Noah’s Ark -  I am a child of God - Seek, Serve and follow Christ – were all made by The Girls’ Brigade. The latter being the Motto of the Girls’ Brigade with ‘Sure and Steadfast ‘ also included as the motto of The Boys’ Brigade.

‘I am the True Vine, My Father is the Gardener was embroidered by a member of the congregation and gifted to the Church.

The Millennium Banner – Behold I make all things new-  was made for the  2000 celebrations and used in a parade in Aden Park for ‘C in the Park’.(Church in the Park)

The 200^th Anniversary Banner :- This wonderful celebration banner embroidered by ladies of the doing group was dedicated by our Interim Moderator Rev. James Wishart on 21^st May 2006 and it now hangs in the church.  The winning drawings from a competition amongst the local primary schools, depicting various Bible stories, were embroidered onto small panels by the ladies of the Church.

Also added were the names of  all the ministers including their years of ministry at the Muckle Kirk. The resulting banner is a stunning piece of work. 

Pulpit Falls:-   There are three sets. Two are ruby red, one of which was donated by the Boys’ Brigade. The white set beautifully embroidered with the Burning Bush emblem was gifted  by Mr Ian Smith an Elder in our Church .

New Session Room 1971:-   The new Session Room was built in 1971 . Photographs of former ministers and special occasions hang there along with a drawing of the Old Manse in 1844  by David Robertson. 

The Bible Garden 2006;-   Going out from the Session Room you will find a restful area where you can sit and view the new Bible Garden. John and Alice have researched and created a small garden of plants mentioned in the Bible. It is hoped that this will be an on-going project.  

The Downie Room:- The old Session Room now became the Downie Room named after Mr and Mrs G.Downie, a baker of the town, an elder and benefactor to the Church. 

Painting  of  Rev. Dr. J. Stewart     by Robert Brough :-  This impressive  portrait ,which hangs in the Downie Room, was painted by Robert Brough (1872-1905 ) a much loved and respected painter who was considered to be one of the best young artists of his time. Born in Invergordon he settled in Aberdeen where he studied at night class at Gray’s School of Art. He won prizes at the Royal Scottish Academy and a painting of his is owned by Robert Gordon  University . Two of his paintings hang in the Venice Municipal Gallery. 

Contact Information

Peterhead Old Parish Church, Kirk Square, Peterhead AB42 1RQ

Our Minister  is Rev Pauline Thomson MA BD, The Manse, 1 Hawthorn Road, Peterhead AB42 2DW Tel: 01779 472618

Our Session Clerk is Mrs Hazel Ross 22 Linksfield Terrace, Peterhead, 01779 471383

Electronic mail can be sent via the message page or to john@mucklekirk.co.uk
 

                                                                                                       Last modified: 16-11-08                                                                                                    Scottish Charity Number SCO11147