History of Mannofield Parish Church
In 1880, the first approach was made to Aberdeen Presbytery for permission to set up a new congregation at Mannofield. Plans quickly followed for the site of the new church to be situated at Countesswells Road and then, as now, there was much hard work and fund raising, donations and grants and in particular the vision, determination and generosity of Mr. William Gordon. Rev CC. McDonald conducted the first service on 27th February 1881 in a temporary wooden building. The Rev William Forbes was inducted on 10th March. 1881 and work on the new church buildings was started with a seating capacity of 700 (now 635). The Rev. Dr. H. Story who later became Principal of Glasgow University, opened the building familiar to us today on 30th July 1882. The desired status as a parish church was granted to Mannofield in March 1882.
The following points may be of interest:
The Biblical characters are, from the left Martha, in an attitude of servitude, then our Lord in the act of teaching. Next stands Mary in an attitude of devotion and the last figure is that of Lazarus. Under this group is the inscription "To the glory of God and in memory of a beloved member of this church who was called to her rest 25th February, 1892. She chose the good part and was zealous in good works, doing what she could in the service of her Lord and Saviour". The four smaller figures represent Moses with the tablets of the law, David as the psalmist, St. Peter as the keeper of the keys of heaven and St. Paul as the leader with the pastoral staff. Here also is the inscription "In thy presence is fullness of joy". Another inscription on the window reads "I was glad when they said unto me let us, go into the house of the Lord.” The stained glass window in the south transept is an allegorical interpretation of the verse from Psalm 126 "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy". Installed in 1989, it was an anonymous gift from a member of our congregation, designed and executed by local craftsmen.
The window in the north transept was designed and installed by Shona McInnes and dedicated in May 1999. The theme of this window is "The calming of the storm" and the inscription is "Will your anchor hold in the storms of life". This was provided by a legacy left to the church by the late Isobel Calder. The wall mounted tablet above the vestibule table (the original Communion Table) bears witness to the benevolence of Mr. William Gordon.
M.A.H. Arthur donated the Lectern in 1936.
The Pew bibles were gifted by our Woman's Guild in 1987 and the green bibles by a member, Miss Jean Dyce in 1999.
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© Mannofield Parish Church | Great Western Road, Aberdeen, AB10 6UZ | Registered Scottish Charity: No SC 001680 |
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