Christianity reached Banchory over 1500 years ago.
Christianity reached Banchory over 1,500 years ago. Saint Ternan, who was born in Fordoun in Angus about 440 AD, built a monastery here and, as well as preaching the Christian gospel, he and his followers taught the local people farming, arts and crafts.
Unfortunately, we do not have any historical records covering the next few hundred years.
The next significant period is when the Abbot of Arbroath received a grant of land from William the Lion which extended as far as Banchory. A new settlement was created near the churchyard, and a church, school and houses were built.
From that period it is thought that there has been a continuous Christian presence in Banchory with several churches being built in succession. We know that a new church was opened in 1664/65and that it's bell now hangs in the old Watchtower restored in 2003 by the Men's Group. By 1775 a new church had replaced the earlier one on the same site, but proved too small for the growing congregation and was dismantled in 1824. The stones were used in the construction of the present church in 1825.
Unfortunately, we do not have any historical records covering the next few hundred years.
The next significant period is when the Abbot of Arbroath received a grant of land from William the Lion which extended as far as Banchory. A new settlement was created near the churchyard, and a church, school and houses were built.
From that period it is thought that there has been a continuous Christian presence in Banchory with several churches being built in succession. We know that a new church was opened in 1664/65and that it's bell now hangs in the old Watchtower restored in 2003 by the Men's Group. By 1775 a new church had replaced the earlier one on the same site, but proved too small for the growing congregation and was dismantled in 1824. The stones were used in the construction of the present church in 1825.
