West Gable windows

There are three large stained glass windows in the west end gable of the church.  Looking from inside the church , the one on the left is the South side, the one on the right is the North side.

The South side of the West Gable

The first of two windows possibly installed at the same time, shortly after the building was first opened in 1877. Done by R. Anderson of Edinburgh (the building’s architect), they each portray a delicate, Victorian Gothic design, featuring a biblical scene in the centre third, and floral and tiling-like decorative motifs in the top and bottom thirds, with liberal use of fleur-de-lis.’ Much use of light colours; pinks, blues, and greens, evoking the woodland and agricultural themes which are common in Victorian art. This one uses its fleur-de-lis’ in the floral design, and borders the whole window with faux-Celtic details. The top third, continues with its floral motifs, found in Mediaeval Gothic but more common in Victorian Gothic, they seem to be fitting the form of some great, fantastical plant. The biblical scene depicted is most likely the raising of Jairus’ daughter, showing Jesus the healer; fitting subject matter for a window commemorating a doctor. The Apostles and the parents of the girl, looking onward in humility and anticipation.

The window is dedicated to Dr. Alexander Murray Officer (21/4/1820 – 24/4/1875), the son of the couple to whom the North side window is dedicated.  He died as the the building of the new church was being planned, and was survived by his mother.

The North side of the West Gable

The other of the two windows can be found on the opposite side of the church. Very similar to the previous, although there are some notable differences. The converse of the other; it has utilised its fleur-de-lis’ as a border, and used Celtic-esque designs in the top third. The bottom third is more Greco-Roman in style, and like the previous window, reminiscent of tiling or mosaic. The centre contains the Epiphany, or visit of the three magi to the Christ-child, typically ceremonious and joyful.

It is dedicated to Alexander Officer, a merchant of Stonehaven, and his wife, Elspet Walker (1788-1868 and 1782-1879, respectively). One can only wonder what things they had each experienced, having both lived so long, in such a turbulent period of the town’s history, and then, when the new building was finished, and old wounds between jurors and non-jurors smoothed over, they are commemorated by such a lovely window. Perhaps of note, is that Elspet Walker is ‘Mrs. Walker’ and not ‘Mrs. Officer.’ The practice of referring to a married woman by both or either of her husband’s surname and/or her maiden name is still  common in Scotland.

The Great West Window

– above the main glass doors entrance to the Nave

The great west window looms over the nave like a crown. Its size is its only drawback; the sheer scale makes the details difficult to make out. Fortunately, this is not a problem we have on the website. It is dedicated to the Very Rev. William Leslie Christie, our Rector from 1890-1931, and long-time Dean of the Diocese. It is almost a futile task to try to describe the style of the window. It uses virtually every colour on the spectrum. The top two-thirds depict the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist (a pleasing symmetry to the Baptistry’s west window), with the Holy Ghost and a vision of Heaven shining down upon Jesus. To the right of the scene there are onlookers, and from behind a tree on the left side, a cloaked figure and serpent, representing the devil, sneer upon the proceedings. Separating the bottom third and top two-thirds is a banner, featuring a mitre, and words from Matthew, in which Jesus tells John the Baptist why He wishes to be baptised. They read: ‘Thus it Becometh Us… To Fulfill All Righteousness.’ The bottom third itself is a rather faithful, though, considerably more stylised and colourful rendering of the famous ‘Baptism from Stonehaven Jail’ painting.

The inscription reads “This window is installed to the memory of William Leslie Christie, Dean of Brechin and  Rector of this church from 1890 to 1931 by his sisters, Margaret Jessie and Cecelia Christie.