Page 27 - LOTN Issue 45

FAITH AND CULTURE

Interior, looking towards the sanctuary A cross-section of the church
corner to which the entrance porch is conjoined.
Although the church when first viewed seems simple and
without artifice it deserves closer study. The principal windows The Church
to the south wall of the nave are small and round headed with
the sanctuary lit by a two-part window with Gothic head. To
the north two round headed and one three-part square headed The Church of St. Columba, standing on the rising ground
window without Gothic ornamentation provide light. To the above the High Street is of Arts and Crafts style with the roofs
West and to the tower there are narrow square headed windows overflying the eaves. The axis of the church is East-West.
with chamfered or square ingoes depending on priority and a In plan the nave is a simple rectangle with the Sanctuary
round window high in that wall divided in three mouchettes the separated from the nave by a bold, almost Romanesque arch.
glass infill being stained glass. Although the Sanctuary is slightly narrower than the nave
It is not so much the windows which are of specific architectural the ridge to the roof carries through making the eave to the
interest but the stonework which immediately surrounds them. Sanctuary higher than that of the nave. Attached to the north
This stonework, which contrasts with the general stonework east face of the building and connecting directly with the
of the external walls which is rough puncheoned, is very finely church is the sacristy, confessional and toilet. A rear door gives
axed smooth. The surround stones to the windows are very separate access to this area. On the south west corner is the
consciously designed in size, proportion and shape to create main entrance porch with a flying roof extending down from
the Arts and Crafts effect and this self-consciousness is carried the main roof and wrapping around two sides of the faceted
through at all windows and doors, sub floor ventilators and tower which completes the overall composition and gives focus
other openings. This gives the design continuity, reinforcing the to the entrance. Several steps from ground level to church floor
first architectural effect created by the proportion and massing
of the building. It is very cleverly done and manages without
ostentation to achieve the effect of a douce church in a very
douce, almost self-satisfied, county town.

The stained glass window in the west wall depicts Saint
Columba represented by the dove, Saint Andrew by his saltire
Line drawing of St Columba's, Banchory by John Hume cross and Saint Margaret by the crowned white Scottish rose

Page 27