| Saint Mary-on-the-Rock |
 The Church in Ellon can trace its history and clergy back for over 800 years. At the Revolution in 1689 the Episcopal Church was disestablished and the Presbyterian Church became the Church of Scotland. However, the Reverend Walter Stewart continued as Episcopalian priest at the Parish Church of Ellon until his death in 1711. A meeting house was then built close by the Parish Church but after the 1745 Jacobite Rising, in which Ellon's Episcopalians took part, this was burned down by Hanoverian soldiers. Churches were then opened in outlying districts at Bearnie, Tillydesk, Udny, Kinharrachie and Chapelhall, but these closed when a new Church was built in Ellon in 1816. This was succeeded by the present Church in 1871. *****
The Church of Saint Mary-on-the-Rock is the work of the eminent Victorian architect, George Edmund Street, who also designed Saint Margaret's Convent, East Grinstead; Saint Peter's, Bournemouth; the nave of Bristol Cathedral; Saint Mary Magdalene's, Paddington; Saint Margaret's, Liverpool; and, in this Diocese, Saint John's, New Pitsligo, and the Chapel at Haddo House, Tarves, near Ellon.The design consists of a nave and chancel, with narthex, organ chamber, vestry and campanile. The chancel is apsidal and contains an elaborately carved Sacrament House. The present organ dates from 1982 and was built by John Lightbown of Whitley Bay. *****
Saint Mary's Hall was opened in 1976,and extended in 1988 and 1997. *****
Notable ministries at Ellon include John Leslie in 1550, afterwards Bishop of Ross; David Leitch 1638-49, afterwards Chaplain to King Charles 11; John Paterson 1649-59, afterwards Bishop of Ross; John Paterson Junior 1660-63, afterwards Archbishop of Glasgow; John Skinner 1764-1775, afterwards Bishop of Aberdeen and Primus of Scotland, and one of the three Scottish Bishops who consecrated Samuel Seabury as first Bishop in the United States of America; Nathanial Grieve 1803-1863, who built the first Church at Craighall; and Nicholas MacLeod 1863-1898, who built the present Church*****
In 1970 the Parish of Ellon - which includes the town of Ellon and the villages of Newburgh, Balmedie, Pitmedden, Tarves, and Ythanbank - was linked with that of Saint James's, Cruden Bay. The present Rector has been parish priest of both since November 2008. |
