History of Christ Church
Christianity first came to Kincardine O'Neil early in the 5th Century (around 430AD) when St. Erchard, a pupil of St. Ternan, set up a mission. It is thought that this establishment is on the site where the ruined mediaeval church of St. Mary now stands. The original church was in the Celtic tradition from which the Scottish Episcopal Church has its roots.
Christ Church - The Building
Christ Church is on the A93 at the western end of the village. It was constructed in 1866, the architect is thought to be Ramage, and seats about 100. The description in the listing of buildings of architectural or historical interest of Aberdeenshire reads:
1866 (Ramage?) Gothic. Nave and narrower chancel, snooked rubble, 3-light E. window with plate tracery. Lucarnes and ventilator at roof.
The pulpit is a slightly later addition and the altar steps were reduced by one step to improve circulation around the altar.
The Farquhar family of Drumnagesk were major contributors in the early days of Christ Church. There are many plaques and several windows commemorating Farquhar family members.
The church has a tiny vestry and no hall. The associated Rectory was sold some 20+ years ago.
The building and grounds are in a good state of maintenance and the small fabric committee tries to ensure that it remains that way. Recent improvements include the upgrading of the lighting and the installation of a hearing loop, the installation of a pipe organ (previously an electric organ). Recently we have reconstructed the porch to create an enlarged and enclosed space which now gives us room for gathering after services (small numbers) as well as the storage of books and other materials.
Most recently we have had completely to rebuild the belfry which was found to be rotten.
Newscutting: from an Aberdeen Journal of 1866 - Kindly supplied by David Strang Steel.
It is proposed to have a BAZAAR, in the Music Hall, on Wednesday the Eleventh and Thursday the Twelft of April (1866), in aid of an EPISCOPAL CHURCH now being Erected in KINCARDINE O'NEIL.
The following Ladies have kindly consented to act as Patronesses:-
The Marchioness of HUNTLY, The Countess of FIFE, The Lady ARABELLA BANNERMAN, The Lady ANN DICK LAUDER, The Hon. the Dowager Lady FORBES of Craigievar, Lady FORBES of Craigievar, Lady CAMPBELL of Auchinbreck, Mrs ROBERT GRANT of Druminnor, Mrs LESLIE of Warthill, Mrs DYCE NICOL of Ballogie, Mrs MORISON of Bognie, Mrs IRVINE of Drum, Mrs FRASER TYTLER of Sanquhar, Mrs FARQUHARSON of Finzean, Mrs FORBERS of Corse, Mrs FRASER of Findrack, Mrs GORDON of Craigmyle, Mrs FARQUHAR, Carlogie; Mrs LODDER, Borrowstowne; Mrs A SIMPSON, Bon-Accord Terrace; Mrs A ESSON, 10, Great King St. Edinburgh; Mrs Suther, Aberdeen.
Contributions of all kinds may be sent, in Edinburgh, to Mrs ESSON, Great King Street; in Aberdeen, to Mrs SUTHER, 10 Bon-Accord Square; in Kincardine O'Neil to Mrs FARQUAR and Mrs LODDER and Mrs FRASER, Findrack.
It is requested that all contributions be sent in by the end of March.
Christ Church - The Building
Christ Church is on the A93 at the western end of the village. It was constructed in 1866, the architect is thought to be Ramage, and seats about 100. The description in the listing of buildings of architectural or historical interest of Aberdeenshire reads:
1866 (Ramage?) Gothic. Nave and narrower chancel, snooked rubble, 3-light E. window with plate tracery. Lucarnes and ventilator at roof.
The pulpit is a slightly later addition and the altar steps were reduced by one step to improve circulation around the altar.
The Farquhar family of Drumnagesk were major contributors in the early days of Christ Church. There are many plaques and several windows commemorating Farquhar family members.
The church has a tiny vestry and no hall. The associated Rectory was sold some 20+ years ago.
The building and grounds are in a good state of maintenance and the small fabric committee tries to ensure that it remains that way. Recent improvements include the upgrading of the lighting and the installation of a hearing loop, the installation of a pipe organ (previously an electric organ). Recently we have reconstructed the porch to create an enlarged and enclosed space which now gives us room for gathering after services (small numbers) as well as the storage of books and other materials.
Most recently we have had completely to rebuild the belfry which was found to be rotten.
Newscutting: from an Aberdeen Journal of 1866 - Kindly supplied by David Strang Steel.
It is proposed to have a BAZAAR, in the Music Hall, on Wednesday the Eleventh and Thursday the Twelft of April (1866), in aid of an EPISCOPAL CHURCH now being Erected in KINCARDINE O'NEIL.
The following Ladies have kindly consented to act as Patronesses:-
The Marchioness of HUNTLY, The Countess of FIFE, The Lady ARABELLA BANNERMAN, The Lady ANN DICK LAUDER, The Hon. the Dowager Lady FORBES of Craigievar, Lady FORBES of Craigievar, Lady CAMPBELL of Auchinbreck, Mrs ROBERT GRANT of Druminnor, Mrs LESLIE of Warthill, Mrs DYCE NICOL of Ballogie, Mrs MORISON of Bognie, Mrs IRVINE of Drum, Mrs FRASER TYTLER of Sanquhar, Mrs FARQUHARSON of Finzean, Mrs FORBERS of Corse, Mrs FRASER of Findrack, Mrs GORDON of Craigmyle, Mrs FARQUHAR, Carlogie; Mrs LODDER, Borrowstowne; Mrs A SIMPSON, Bon-Accord Terrace; Mrs A ESSON, 10, Great King St. Edinburgh; Mrs Suther, Aberdeen.
Contributions of all kinds may be sent, in Edinburgh, to Mrs ESSON, Great King Street; in Aberdeen, to Mrs SUTHER, 10 Bon-Accord Square; in Kincardine O'Neil to Mrs FARQUAR and Mrs LODDER and Mrs FRASER, Findrack.
It is requested that all contributions be sent in by the end of March.