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Peterhead Old Parish Church

Music & organists

Although nothing can replace the face-to-face conversation to show friendship and caring, sometimes this is impossible due to the sheer distance involved. Two families have sent information about their relatives that were organists at the church

(1)James Reid - Organist and choirmaster in the 1880s

Jenny from Cape Town (2006), South Africa, writes: -

My granny's father was James Reid, her mother Mary Henderson, and they lived in Marischal Street. I believe her father was a Choir Master and Organist and I wondered if there were any records of his existence at the Church, or any other records of the Reid or Maitland families?’ She has since found information in the 1881 Census showing that James & Mary Reid lived in Maiden Street before moving to Marischal street and that they had children, Peter (aged 10 in the Census), Helen, Maggie, John, Andrew, James, Isabelle and Barbara. The father James was an engine fitter and son Andrew a footballer.

(2) Peter writes (March 2008):-

Is there any record of the organists at the church ?

My grandmothers father was a Charles Taylor 1826-1895 of Stranraer who was the Customs and Excise Officer for Peterhead from 1851. His daughter Eliza Taylor 1851-1878 married Charles Laing of a firm of coachbuilders called Laing and Melvin. Charles Laings brother, Alexander Laing, Junior was a Leipzig trained organ player who was apparently the first organist of the Peterhead Parish Church and died before 1873 !

This man taught two of his young neices to play for the church. They were Mrs Eliza (Taylor) Laing 1851-1878 and Mrs Maria (Taylor) Mitchell 1853-1916.

Another sister a Constance (Taylor)Stuart 1858-1917 married a highlander soldier John Stuart but I do not know if his bagpipe skills extended to church organ playing !

(3) David Morris, son of the Very Rev Morris (Minister1957-1967) writes (Jan 2010)

During our time in Peterhead and some time after the organise was Miss B B May or "Auntie" Bess as she was known affectionately. She also taught at the Infant and Central Schools!

(4) The current organist and choir master

We are currently fortunate to have a talented musician Adam Horton as our Organist and the choir is very active under his instruction. He thinks (!) that he started in 1995.

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

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Last modified: 02-05-09 Scottish Charity Number SCO11147