The Langstane Kirk

The Langstane Kirk was a founding member of OAK. The congregation was dissolved on Easter Sunday, 1999 by the Church of Scotland, after 10 years of fighting by its members for the right to stay open. OAKWEB continues to receive enquiries about Langstane from around the world. We, therefore, feel it is fitting that this page remains as part of our site.

The West Church of St. Andrew, as The Langstane Kirk was known in 1869	*The Langstane Kirk*, as we have known it, only came into being two decades ago. The name was adopted at the time of the union of two churches - The West Church of St Andrew, as the Langstane building was originally called, and another Church of Scotland congregation from nearby Union Grove. Follow this link to see what the church is named after.
	The history of the two parent churches, and of Langstane itself, is fascinating and inspiring. The congregation had a reputation for hard work and a commitment to the Gospel, and this we can trace back through its history, both pre- and post-union.
	Langstane provided two Moderators for the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland - Dr Robert Laws, a renowned missionary, and Dr George Reid, one of Scotland's most gifted preachers of the twentieth century. It also had close links with recent Moderator, Rev Prof Alan Main, who was a student minister here, and who has worshipped and preached at Langstane many times since.

A new chapter in Langstane's history was started in 1989 when the then Minister was called to another congregation. Because of apparent population changes in the city centre, the Langstane congregation were not allowed to appoint a new minister and were given the choice by Presbytery of either moving and worshipping elsewhere or dissolving as a congregation. In either case the building was to be sold. However, the people of Langstane has other ideas, and they asked Presbytery for special permission to carry on their work without a minister. Presbytery agreed to the setting up of an experiment in team ministry, run by the elders with the assistance of a part-time locum pastor as well as a Presbytery-appointed Interim Moderator. The manse was sold.

The start of a unique ministry

Services were taken by elders and guest preachers, ensuring a wide range of teaching and worship styles. Prayer meetings were led mainly by elders, and much of the pastoral visiting was undertaken by members of the congregation.

The situation ran for ten years with a good deal of success. There were failures and disappointments, but these were outweighed by achievements and by the joy and excitement of doing the Lord's work and reaching out in His name.

Hopes for the future

The congregation were keen to ensure the Christian presence and work of Langstane continues. For a number of years, it seriously considered renovating the building into a Christian Centre with Conference and Concert facilities as well as a restaurant, shops and offices. Detailed plans were drawn up by the City Architects and won the backing of the City Centre Partnership, which recognised the need for facilities like these in the centre of Aberdeen. However, with the building now sold, such a development now seems impossible on this site.

The present situation

In September 1998, Aberdeen Presbytery finalised the decision to sell the Langstane buildings and bring the history of the congregation to an end. Almost everyone involved with Langstane believe this decision was unwise and unjust, for the Langstane buildings were always being used for lunches and by a variety of organisations including Youth for Christ, who had their office in Langstane, and Prison Fellowship. Furthermore, the streets around Langstane have seen much development, particularly of pubs and nightclubs, in recent years and the area is busier than ever with people who should be hearing the Gospel. Clearly, the vision must not be lost and must be continued in some way. As yet, we do not yet see clearly exactly what way that will be. The OAK cafe has been kept going, first in Alford Place Church, and now in St. Mark's Church.

Update

In the summer of 2000, the Church of Scotland sold the Langstane buildings to an Aberdeen businessman whose interests include a number of city-centre clubs and restaurants. He has no immediate plans for the building and has allowed COC Christian fellowship full use of the premises in the meantime. COC hold two services in the church each Sunday and use the building for meetings throughout the week. However, concerns still exist over the long-term future of the building. Please do pray that God's will be done.

The stained-glass windows

A booklet on the Langstane windows, including lots of beautiful pictures of them has been published and is available for Ł2 from St. Mark's Church any weekday lunchtime.
cover of Langstane Kirk Windows book

The Langstane Kirk,
Union Street x Bon Accord Street,
Aberdeen.

map

"If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference: He is praying for me." Robert Murray McCheyne