The Reredos
The superb reredos, designed by S Gambier-Parry of London, in Corsham stone, is divided into five trefoil arches supported by columns of Devonshire stone, with five alabaster figures depicting:
i. on the left, St Andrew, standing in front of his cross;
ii. his brother, St Peter, holding the keys of heaven;
iii. in the centre, and larger than the other four, our Saviour, in glory,
iv. St James; a leather wine- bottle slung from his staff, and
v. on the right, St James’ brother, St John.
The super-altar shelf is of Devonshire marble. Under the centre figure of Christ is the tabernacle of polished alabaster as the base on which His figure rests.
This reredos was built in memory of Annette Maria Palk, the daughter of The first Lord Haldon, whose brother, Lawrence Hesketh Palk, became the second Lord Haldon in 1880, and succeeded to the baronetcy created in 1782.
Annette Maria became The Honourable Mrs Alexander Baird of Urie House, Stonehaven, Her husband became Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire till 1918. Her son, John, was knighted for his career as an MP, soldier, diplomat and administrator. In 1925, he was made The Right Honourable The Viscount Stonehaven after serving as Governor General of Australia. Annette Maria’s grandson became the second Viscount, and in 1974 (on the death of his mother at the age of 100) The Right Hon The Earl of Kintore.
The reredos was donated by Alexander Baird of Urie (then living in the now being restored Urie House) in memory of his wife Annette Maria who died on May 21st 1884, which must have been during the construction of the sanctuary. Her death certificate records her as having died of septicaemia (having been ill for 38 days), aged 32, and rumour has it that she had got a fishbone stuck in her throat. However, Annette’s last child, Muriel Jane was born on 4th April 1884, only 47 days before, so it might be speculated that, alternatively, she died as a consequence of complications at the birth.
The Saints chosen for these statues are the apostles mentioned in Matthew’s gospel (Chapter 4 verses 18 to 22) as being the first men that Jesus called. They were all fishermen, and so are very relevant to the fishing industry which was in its heyday in Stonehaven at that time. There were over 100 herring drifters working out of Stonehaven harbour at one point. Jesus commanded the four apostles to follow Him and become ‘fishers of men’. The statues also relate to the unusual ceiling of the Chancel and Sanctuary, which is wood lined, in the shape of an upturned boat.
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