St James Aberdeen

Our Organ

The organ was purchased in 1884 (for £225) and moved from the Crown Street church. It was originally installed on the north side of the chancel and was transferred to its present position when the south aisle was added. This move gave access from the chancel to the Vestry. As there were always problems in obtaining the services of a reliable ‘boy’ to blow or pump the organ, the problem was overcome by the purchase of an electric blowing apparatus in 1897 for £5. The organ has been rewired and repaired many times over the years and is well maintained and tuned regularly. Over the years the church treasurers may have thought back with some longing to the time when the church purchased a second hand harmonium for £33 in 1855, the year of the Crimean War!

Our Windows

The east window

was installed in 1901. This is one of Douglas Strachan’s early masterpieces. It represents Christ in glory, adored by angels; the law and the prophets, represented by Moses and Isaiah; then the evangelists, St Matthew the man, St Mark with a lion, St Luke with an ox and St John with an eagle.

Lancet window

The recently restored lancet window in the north wall of the chancel is the most interesting of all the windows historically. It was gifted by Colonel Lumsden in memory of his son, Lieutenant William Henry Lumsden who was killed in action at Nujuffghur on 25th August 1857 during the Indian Mutiny. He was serving in the forces of the East India Company in a regiment of which he was part founder, the ‘Guides’ called the Eyes and Ears of the Military.

The west windows

were given in 1940 by Mr J F Kay, in memory of his wife. Unfortunately the small one at the end of the north aisle, a gem of Douglas Strachan, was vandalised some years ago and although the pieces were retrieved, restoration was not possible.

The west rose window

is the work of John M Aiken. It is beautifully coloured, representing the Virtues, with Charity as the central figure, the outer right clockwise from the top, being Purity, Humility, Temperance, Mercy, Peace, Hope, Faith and Truth.

St James Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, Charity no SC016174