Church Overview

The ‘Mither Kirk’ of Aberdeen dates from the 12th century, but following the Reformation, like many large urban churches elsewhere in Scotland, it was split between two congregations.

The present building is largely 18th and 19th century. The west end 1755 by James Gibbs, the east end by Archibald Simpson 1837. The church contains the Chapel of the Oil Industry and the 15th-century St Mary’s Chapel. West Kirk: 3-manual organ by Willis 1881/1927; East Kirk: organ by Compton 1933; St John’s Chapel: organ by Brewsher & Fleetwood 1825. The carillon of 48 bells is the largest in Great Britain. Seventeenth-century embroidered wall hangings.

The East Kirk has been in the care of the Open Space Trust since 2005 and they have carried out extensive archaeological investigations inside, over the intervening period. The Church of Scotland dissolved the congregation that occupied the West Kirk in 2020 and took that part of the building into the care of the General Trustees in Jan 2021. The West Kirk and its historic contents was sold by the Church of Scotland to Edinburgh-based arts charity Scot Art in August 2024. 

We await, with interest, the future plans of both charities for the next chapters in the long story of this remarkable Aberdeen church. 

Currently closed to visitors 

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.