Monday April 21, 2008

Past Ministers

(page in preparation)

Much of the information below was obtained from a booklet 'Flotsam & Jetsam' that was sold for 1 shilling to raise funds in order to erect a 'hall to be used for congregational purpose', dated 31 October 1890.

The article is entitled 'The parish Ministers of Peterhead since the reformation' written by James Aiken (with acknowledgement to Dr Hew Scott's Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae).

Gilbert Chisholme. In pre-reformation times, the church of Peterhead belonged to the Abbey of Deer.  In 1567, the parish was under the charge of Gilbert Chisholme, one of the conventual brethren, who adopted the principles of the reformation.  He held the charge of Peterugie in conjunction with Deer, Foveran, and St Fergus, the annual stipend being 40 pounds Scots, or £3 6s 8d sterling, to which 40 merks (£2 4s 51/2d) was added in 1570.  He was presented to the parsonage of Lonmay by King James VI., in May 1569, and to the parsonage and vicarage of Rathen in October of the same year.  In 1574, his charge was reduced to Deer, Fetterangus, and Rathen with a spipend of 80 pounds Scots or £6 13s 4d sterling.  In 1576, he was relieved of Rathen but continued at Deer in 1585.  During the early part of the time that the parish was under the charge of Gilbert Chisholme, the service of the church at Peterhead was conducted by

Archibald Reid (1569), who is designated as a reader.  It is probable that Chisholme's connection with Peterugie ceased in 1569, on his presentation to Lonmay.

Archibald Keith (1571-1578) was translated from St Fergus to Peterhead in 1571 and removed to Crimond on being presented by James VI with the vicarage of that parish, with the manse, glebe, and kirkland of the same, on 19th August 1573.  Althougth resident at Crimmond, he continued in charge at Peterugie, St Fergus, and Cruden, with a stipend of £140 Scots, or £11 13s 4d sterling, and the kirklands, out of which he had to pay the reader at Crimond.  He removed from Crimond to St Fergus, sometime between 1580 and 1585, but returned again to Crimond in 1591, and died before February, 1595.  It is probable that he held the charge of Peterugie till 1578.

Thomas Moresoun (1578-1580)

Thomas Bissett (1594-1604)

John Keith (1604-5)

James Martin (1605-1623)

James Martin (1636-1649)

Nathaniel Martin (1649-1664)

John Chalmers (1664-1674)

Alexander Banks (1674-1682)

Alexander Barclay (1682-1695)

Andrew Guthrie (1699-1720)

William Smith (1716-1717)

David Brown (1721-1725)

Robert Farquhar (1726-1738)

James Walker (1739-1763)

George Moir (1763-1816)

William Donald (1816-1844)

Alexander Irvine (1844-1855)

James Mitchell (1855-1864)

James Stewart (1864-1915)

Douglas Swan (1915-1951)

Allan McArthur (1952-1956)

William Morris (1957-1967)

Ian McKenzie (1968-1973)

James Millar (1974-1978)

David Ross (1978-2004).  Dr Ross lead the congregation faithfully for 25 years before going to be chaplain within the prison service (Craiginch & Peterhead Prisons).  In this time the Manse moved to a newer house in Hawthorn Road.

James (Jimmy) Wishart (2004-2006).  Jimmy, Minister at Deer, was a very effective, friendly, Interim Moderator and he kept the congregation together during this difficult period.  He (with his wife, Helen) kept the essential tasks of the church moving forward including the up grading of the Manse.    He also presided over the 200year celebrations of the current church buildings. Rev. William Taylor, retired Minister from Buckie North, was an excellent and inspirational locum for a year of this time.  The congregation were extremely fortunate to the guidance of inspirational preachers including Rev Pauline Steenbergen, Rev William Dunlop, George Shaw, John Noble, Sena Allen, Richard Sneddon, Ian Smith, Anthea McNee, Paul Govier, Dorothy Mair, Joseph Yule, Jenny Smith.

Rev Pauline Thomson MA BD (Dec 2006 - present).  Pauline came from her year as assistant Minister of Montrose Old and St. Andrew's and was ordinated and inducted on 7 December 2006.

Contact Information

Peterhead Old Parish Church, Erroll Street, Peterhead AB42 2PU

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: 21-04-08