History, The Church Buildings... |
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The original church building was a wooden 'hut', built in 1951.
This was erected on the site which is now occupied by the St.Aubin's Project home at no.17 Westerton Crescent. The 'Hut Church' had seating for 80-90 people.
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On 27 August 1952 the foundation stone for a new 'Hall Church' was laid by Rev.P.C.Millar. Placed within the stone were:- a newspaper for 26 Aug.1952 plus some earlier newspaper cuttings ; Orders of Service for 17 Feb.1952 and 27 Aug.1952 ; letters from the Lord Provost and the Presbytery Clerk ; a copy of the first Church Magazine ; a photograph of Rev.Duncan Bruce, the first minister of Northfield Parish ; a note of the boundaries of the parish ; names of the Office-bearers, the leaders of the church organisations, and a list of members ; some coins of the period ; and several other messages of goodwill. Hall Church foundation stone
The stone can be viewed on the outside northern wall of the building.
In September 1953 the 'Hall Church' was visited by H.M.Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother who planted a tree in the church grounds. The 'Hall Church' was dedicated for use on 6 December 1953. The buildings comprised a main hall, used for worship and other activities, a small hall, which was sometimes used as overflow accomodation for services, plus a kitchen and toilets. Seating capacity of the Hall Church, including overflow, was 320.
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The foundation stone for the present main sanctuary was not laid by Rev.Professor John M. Graham, then Lord Provost of Aberdeen on 17 November 1963, as stated on the stone. Due to serious illness Professor Graham was unable to attend the ceremony and the stone was graciously laid by his wife, Mrs Graham.
The church bell originally belonged to a country church(now closed) in Tarves.
The seating capacity of the main sanctuary is 500.
The building was dedicated for use by Professor J.M. Graham on 6 September 1964. This occasion is recorded on another stone which is situated on the western wall of the building, close to the present church hall entrance.
In 1994 a new pitched roof was put on the main building. The original flat roof was often found to leak in wet weather! An integral part of the new roof is the triangular window feature at the front of the building. The glass is coloured and is back-lit in the evenings during winter months, providing something of a local landmark.
A small 2-manual(+pedals) pipe organ was brought main Church interior(2004)from Fairnielee House in Galashiels and installed as an integral part of the new(present) building.
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Events during 2001 included:-
A fund-raiser LUNCH in April : A Church Family PICNIC in June : and at the end of September, a FLOWER FESTIVAL and GIVING DAYS in the Church with AFTERNOON TEA and a DISPLAY OF PHOTOGRAPHS in the Church Hall.
cutting the Anniversary cake.
On Sunday 30th September we held a special 50th ANNIVERSARY SERVICE.
The congregation included the Moderator of Aberdeen Presbytery, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, our local MSP, the then oldest member of the congregation - Mrs Lizzie Montgomery aged 103 yrs, the youngest - baby Michael Creighton who had just been baptised on 9 September, and many other visitors & friends and past & present members of the church. Each of the surviving past ministers of Northfield Parish also attended and prayers were led by Rev.Ross Flockhart and Rev.David Anderson. Teas and Anniversary Cake were then served in the Church Hall, after the Service.
The last of our special events was a CONCERT in November when members and friends from within and outwith the congregation presented a varied programme of entertainment with something for everyone.
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