by

The Revd John M Watson. L.Th.

St Mark's Church, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen.

How St Mark's Came about

From the year of 1060 there was but one Parish Church in the City of Aberdeen, that being the Parish of St Nicholas.

In 1828 the Court of Tiends decided that there should be six Parishes: The West parish; The East St Clement's: Greyfriars(each with it's own church) and the South and the North for which new church buildings were to be built.

At the disruption in 1843, the East, the West and the South congregations built three places of worship together, at the corner of Belmont Street and Schoolhill, Aberdeen.

In the year of 1892 the South congregation moved into the present building.

In 1972 as a result of the retiral of the then minister Reverend Doctor James Wood, D.D. the then South church united with

the East and Belmont congregation and the two became known as St Mark's.

Some years later as a result of a major fire in their building at Trinity Church, Crown Street, in 1981, the congregation of

Trinity who had already been worshipping in St Mark's left their own building and joined with the congregation. Since that time it has been a harmonious union under the leadership of the Kirk Session and ministers concerned.

The Ministers

Since moving into this present building in 1892 the subsequent congregations have been served by a variety of ministers.

1892-1897...............................The Revd William M Clow. D.D.

1898-1907..........................The Revd W McIntosh McKay,D.D.

1908-1936....................................The Revd John A Irvine, B.D.

1937-1953.....................................The Revd John Mowat, M.A.

1953-1972.........................The Revd Dr James Wood M.A.D.D.

1972-1973..................................The Revd Walter Gordon, B.D.

1974-1986...............................The Revd Hamish Fleming, B.D.

1989-.......................................The Revd John M Watson, L.Th.

Between 1986 and 1989, there was a protracted vacancy which was caused by the uncertainty of the congregations right to call a minister. However after several approaches by the congregation to Presbytery a call was given to the present incumbent: The Revd John M Watson, L.Th.

The Building of St Mark's.

St Mark's as you will easily see is constructed from granite. The front of the building being a close aslar granite on a rock faced base, with the remainder of the building being made of Kemnay granite.

The roof is finished with a Gothic portico, surrounded by a dome which was modelled on St Paul's cathedral in London. .Several years ago the congregation found to their dismay that more than 100 years of wind, rain and acid rot had taken it's toll on the lead fabric of the roof and dome, and after much prayer and guidance launched themselves into a massive programme of refurbishment with the help of several outside bodies such as Grampian Enterprise, and Scottish Historic Buildings. As you will see the work has now been completed

but a cost of more than twice of the original estimates, putting even further pressure on the congregations resources.

Within the church itself there is a resplendent array of wood furnishings and carvings in oak, and the walls are of oak wood lining dados.

The baptismal font is somewhat unique, in that it is constructed in pieces of different types of granite, centrally mounted on a metal support. It I still in use regularly for baptismal services.

As you look around the church you will see fourteen stained glass windows, each one having been lovingly donated by dedicated members of the varying congregations, in memory of loved ones. With each descriptive note, there is an indication of the donor given.

The organ is a Willis and Sons, two manual pipe organ, which was built in 1900. It was completely renovated in 1971, and has recently underwent an overhaul which with proper maintenance should see it preserved in excellent working condition well into the 21st Century.

The church building which is expansive, is housed above a large suite of halls which because of their central location are very much in use , not only by the church organisations, but by The Presbytery of Aberdeen, and other secular organisations.

The Parish of St Mark's Church.

The Parish under the responsibility of the minister and Kirk Session encapsulates the following boundaries.

From the south end of Huntly Street along the mid line of Union Street to Union Bridge; then along the railway bridge at Rosemount Viaduct, along Woolmanhill including the west side thereof, to Raeburn Place. Along the mid line of Raeburn Place, continuing along the mid line of Gilcomston Park to Rosemount Viaduct, by the mid line of Rosemount Viaduct to the arch over Upper Denburn. From the arch and by the mid line of the steps to Skene Street, then along the mid line of Summer Street and Huntly Street to Union Street.

The work of our organisations, particularly our Sunday schools, the Mother and Toddler's Group, and the Boys Brigade, enable us to get in and keep in touch with some of the young people growing and living within our Parish bounds.

Worship in St Mark's Church

Morning worship in St Mark's Church takes place every Sunday morning at 11.am., with the Sacrament of Holy Communion being celebrated eight times a year(formal), twice on each third Sunday of January, April, June and October. There are also further (informal) Communion Services held at the end of each month from November through to May, discounting the formal months.

There is in St Mark's an active growing Sunday School for Primary School children, ably led by two Sunday School Superintendents, and a team of excellent Sunday school teachers.

There is also a crèche provided each Sunday for babies staffed by fully trained ladies who keep charge over the children so that their parents are able to participate in the public worship of the congregation.

On the last Sunday of every month there is a Family Service which closes with a short informal Communion Service) and children are encouraged to sit with their parents within the body of the Kirk. Sometimes the Family Service is followed by a Family lunch in the hall after worship allowing time for fellowship.

During the summer months things are perhaps a little less formal. Services start at 10.a.m. and consist of new ideas and varying forms of worship and praise. Our Worship Committee meet regularly to format worship designed to suit all ages and tastes. In St Mark's we believe in congregational participation in worship, and many of the members are gifted in the art of music, doing drama, saying prayers and preaching.

What does the future hold for St Mark's.

Many of us would like to be able to gaze into a crystal ball and see what the future holds, not only for St Marks's but for ourselves and for our families. However none of us knows what the future will bring, and that is why it is so important to have a real faith and to put our trust in God and His purposes for our church and city.

This building which is now 106 years old has now undergone major refurbishment, and is being redecorated in the hall downstairs at this moment. This work will ensure that the life of the building will be secured well into the next century and beyond. It is our Christian duty as stewards of God's house to maintain the building to the best standards that we can achieve, so that in the years following our demise, our children and our children's children will be able to worship in this beautiful building just as we have done.

There are a lot of changes taking place in the city at this time, but there will always be a need for a Spiritual home for people coming to live within this city. As Christians we have to respond to these needs as they arise, and not sit back on our laurels of the early 20th Century.

Change is about moving forward and we as a congregation will have to respond to that change in God's Name.

As the present minister of St Mark's I like to think that the foundations have been laid in this church and congregation that will ensure it as a place of worship for many many years to come.

The Stained Glass Windows

The stained glass windows in the church come from the three former congregations and buildings that now make up St Mark's Church. If you have an interest in stained glass windows, why not take a walk around the church with the guide book we have written which has information on all of the windows.