History Of St Margaret's Church, Aberlour

It often only takes one or two people with vision to bring about something special and in this case it was a wealthy patron and a dedicated priest. Others of course were involved but principally Miss Margaret Gordon Macpherson Grant (b.1834) and Charles Jupp ^{canon jupp} (b.1830) brought about the lovely St Margaret's Church at Aberlour. For background details about these people do read the little booklet produced in 1979 and available in the church.

Charles Jup was a schoolmaster, then ordained in 1868 in England. He came to Scotland in 1874 at the invitation of Miss Grant to serve at St Margaret's Chapel at Craigellachie. His ministry proved successful and a larger church was needed.

Miss Grant together with another landowner provided land and money to build an orphanage. Plans for a church were obtained from Mr Alexander Ross of Inverness and the foundation stone was laid in Sept 1875. The consecration of the nave took place on 8 Feb 1977 and the Primus blessed the church and consecrated the burial ground.

Sadly Miss Grant and another main benefactor died in 1877 but work continued and by Nov 1879 the finished building was ready for consecration and has stood ever since without major alteration.

The Architect (A. Ross) who designed the church also designed the Cathedral in Inverness and it is said he was influenced by the 'Auld Alliance' with France, the French influence is clear at Aberlour. There are similarities too between St Margaret's Church and the Cathedral in Inverness. A local newspaper noted that the style was "Early decorated Gothic, severely treated" and the materials were to reflect the local landscape, with walls of unplastered red granite and pale freestone and roofs and furnishings of red pine. The newspaper considered that the building would be a great ornament to the beautiful valley.

The church stands proudly on rising ground at the East end of Aberlour and is approached by a drive lined with trees. The grounds are well kept and the graveyard tells something of the past. Rev Jupp is buried there with other Rectors and orphans.

The church consists of a nave with narrow aisles, a South porch and a chancel with North and South transepts serving as vestry and organ chamber respectively. A small but elegant octagonal tower and spirelet add to the lovely outline of the church.

The nave is lit by the great West window. The arches of the nave are carried on massive pillars of polished Peterhead granite and their capitals were carved to reflect nature, each set being different.

The windows of the aisles are pairs of lancets filled with stained glass, the triple lancets in the clerestory above providing even more light. The chancel, set much higher than the nave, is lit by single windows in the side walls and three lancets in the East wall are enriched with ringed shafts of polished granite. On each side large arches, again with much carved decoration, open into the vestry and organ chamber. The roofs are constructed of red pine in strong and simple Gothic design.

A fine chancel screen and brass eagle lectern were in place early in the life of the church and much of the furnishings added later.

In about 1879 the chancel was constructed and furnished, Revd Jupp was of the 'High Church' and so the chancel was arranged for elaborate services. The altar was very prominent, raised nine steps above the floor of the nave and of Caen stone with arcading on the front framing the sacred monograms. The reredos encloses panels of white marble and is surmounted by figures of angels playing musical instruments. In the centre is the brass tabernacle and fine brass candle sticks provide light and beautify the sanctuary. The East window is filled with stained glass representing scenes from the life of Christ. The encaustic tiles on the floor were probably made specially for the church by Minto of Stoke on Trent.

The very fine organ (given in memory of Miss Grant) was built by Harrison and Harrison of Durham. It was rebuilt in 1960 by Hill, Norman and Beard.

The Aberlour Orphanage was home to very many children over the years but was closed some time ago. However the work still carries on under the name of The Aberlour Trust from it's headquarters in Stirling, Scotland, caring for children in family sized homes throughout Scotland.

Other Scottish Episcopal Churches in the area were in Craigellachie and Rothes. It is hoped that services in those villages may be started again in the near future.

Today, St Margaret's Church has a small but very enthusiastic congregation who care very deeply about their church - who remember those who brought it into being with much respect and pride and trust that they would be pleased with what we are trying to do there now.