| Collection | GB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections |
| Level | Fonds |
| Ref No | MS 3499 |
| Title | Records of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney: St Andrews Cathedral, Aberdeen |
| Date | 1645 - 1967 |
| Extent | 67 volumes, 7 boxes, 45 rolled plans: 6.1 linear metres |
| Creator Name | St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen, Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney (1914 - current)
St Andrew's Church, Aberdeen (1817 - 1914)
St Andrew's Chapel, Aberdeen (1792 - 1817)
St Ninian's Church, Aberdeen (fl 1935 - 2000)
Episcopalian Congregation at Old Aberdeen (fl 1694 - 1754) |
| Administrative History | St Andrew's Cathedral, Church and Chapel:
The Scottish Episcopal congregation of Aberdeen, St Andrew's first gathered in a meeting-house at the back of Aberdeen Tolbooth in 1723, later moving to Concert Close and Guest Row. The meeting-house in Guest Row was burned down in 1746 by the authorities but was later rebuilt. In 1776 the upper floor of Reverend John Skinner's new dwelling-house in Longacre was fitted up as a meeting-house. St Andrew's Chapel was opened next to Skinner's house in Longacre on 13 Sept 1792. This was replaced by a new church in King Street in 1817, which has since been extensively enlarged and remodelled. St Andrew's became the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney in 1914.
St Ninian's Church:
Aberdeen St Ninian's first gathered as a Mission in 1935, for the developing area of Seaton and Bridge of Don. St Ninian's Church was built in King Street and dedicated in 1936. It has been served from St Andrew's Cathedral since 1980.
Episcopalian Congregation at Old Aberdeen:
The Episcopalians of Old Aberdeen (Old Machar) held St Machar's Cathedral until 1694. A meeting house was later established which was destroyed in 1746. When the last incumbent died in 1754, some of the congregation transferred to St John's chapel in Blairton Lane, Aberdeen, and others to St Andrew's Chapel in Guest Row.
Details from David M. Bertie, 'Scottish Episcopal Clergy 1689-2000' (Edinburgh: Clarke, 2000). Further information about the history of the Diocese and individual churches is contained therein. |
| Custodial History | The records of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney and its constituent churches were originally held locally. During the 20th century some - though not all - came to be deposited in the Diocesan Office. |
| Source | This collection was deposited in the University in May 1996, by St Andrew's Cathedral. Additional deposits in 1997 and 2003. |
| Description | This collection contains records of St Andrew's Cathedral, and its predecessors, St Andrew's Chapel and St Andrew's Church. It also includes some records of its daughter church, St Ninian's, and some early records of the Episcopal Congregation at Old Aberdeen. It should be considered in conjunction with the records of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney, 1600 - 1980, deposited by the Diocese in 1988 (MS 3320).
The collection comprises a variety of material from registers to plans of the church and cathedral. Sacramental registers are held for St Andrew's Chapel, Church and Cathedral some as individual registers of births, marriages and deaths and some combined single registers. There is a comprehensive series of minute books from 1777 - 1980. General papers relating to the church and cathedral, such as rules, regulations, statues and constitutions are also found in the collection alongside more personal material. Personal papers formerly belonging to Bishop Alexander Jolly and John Torry are held as part of this collection and are complimented by a series of more historical papers. The historical material varies from a series of testimonials in favour of various members of the congregation to a poem on the King's visit to Edinburgh by R. Howden. In addition there are a series of plans for the church and cathedral, which record proposed alterations to the building including a proposed church hall and an enlarged chancel. |
| Accruals | Yes. Under an agreement of 2013 - Aberdeen city congregation records (excluding St Andrew's Cathedral) will be deposited with Aberdeen City Archives whilst Aberdeenshire records and St Andrew's Cathedral records will be deposited with the University. This agreement is not retrospective so in locating records researchers may be required to search the catalogues of both archive services. For a list of the records held by Aberdeen City Archives see the 'Related Material' field below. |
| Arrangement | Registers
Meeting papers
Correspondence
Legal papers
Financial records
Membership papers
Related bodies
Material arranged by form (plans, photographs and objects) |
| Access Status | Open |
| Access Conditions | Some records contain personal information and may be closed for 75 (for adults) and 100 (for children 16 and under) years under the Data Protection Act (1998). |
| Language | English |
| Related Material | Records of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney (MS 3320) where all other diocese and congregation records are held.
Aberdeen Diocesan Library manuscript volumes, 1665-1907 (MS 3337).
PLEASE NOTE THAT ABERDEEN CITY ARCHIVES ALSO HOLD RECORDS FROM SOME CONGREGATIONS -
St Clement's, Aberdeen
St James', Aberdeen
St John's, Crown Terrace,Aberdeen
St Margaret's Episcopal Convent, Spital, Aberdeen
St Mary's, Carden Place, Aberdeen
St. Peter's, Torry, Aberdeen
St Andrew's, Banff
St Luke's, Cuminestown
St John's, Portsoy
St Congan's, Turriff |
| Copies | Microfilm copies of records listed in NRAS 2698, or other (available in the Reading Room, box 8):
Reel 1: RH4/179/1
1 - Longside, St John's, registers volumes 1 - 3: 1727 - 1892 (only a selection)
Reel 2: RH4/179/2
1 - Cruden Bay, St James', registers 1807 - 1934: burials, baptisms, marriages and confirmations
2 - Ellon: Register 1816 - 1871: baptisms, marriages and burials
3 - Ellon Episcopal Chapel 1819 - 1832: accounts or pew rents
4 - Ellon Episcopal Chapel: poors list 1827 - 1862
5 - Ellon Episcopal Chapel 1772 - 1836: miscellaneous
6 - Meikle Folla, St George's: 1717 - 1854: miscellaneous
7 - Meikle Folla, St George's: 1763 - 1860: registers
Reel 3: RH4/179/3
1-3 - Banff, St Andrew's
4-5 - Cuminestown, St Luke's
6-7 - Turriff, St Congan's
Reel 4: RH4/179/4
1-2 - Aberdeen, St John's
3-6 - Aberdeen, St Andrew's
Reel 5: RH4/179/5
1-5 - Aberdeen, St Andrew's
6-7 - Buckie, All Saints |
| Finding Aids | National Register of Archives Scotland survey 2698 - completed in 1989, with later additions. The majority of these records are still in the care of the individual congregations. Some though have been deposited with the University (added under reference MS 3320) while others have been deposited with Aberdeen City Archives. |
| Related Record | MS 3320 |
| MS 3320/7 |
| MS 3337 |