Page 27 - LOTN Spring Issue 52 2023

FAITH AND CULTURE

Market at Albert Basin in 1889 and the erection of the new
bridge giving easier access to Torry, the village began to
grow. The open land to the west of Old Torry permitted
curing yards, fish houses and other attendant buildings,
including housing, to spring up unrestricted by existing
established factories and warehouses. The first houses
were built in Victoria Road in 1883 (104 & 110 Victoria Road)
and thereafter the area expanded with the greatest rapidity
from the fishing village of medieval times to the satellite
town that it now is.
Because of the new technology of the steam powered
trawl fishing boats and the lack of local skill in the new
methods, skippers and crews from the south, especially the
North-East of England, were imported, bringing with them
their wives and families. In their wake came local fishermen
eager to learn the new skills, from the coastal villages north
and south of Aberdeen. Thus, while the major part of the "The interior of the Church reflects the boldness of the exterior"
population of the much-expanded area of Torry was locally whole composition is dominated by a bold square tower
derived, there was considerable mixture from outwith over the crossing point of Nave and Transepts.
the area. To satisfy the spiritual needs of this influx of The external walls are of granite. Unusually however,
population with its strong element of Roman Catholics, the these walls are not built in courses but in small polygonal
Church of the Sacred Heart was built. On the elevated site stones, infilling between finely dressed stone corners,
where Inverbervie Road meets the Grampian Road, stands string courses and window and door surrounds; this
the church boldly proclaiming its presence. perhaps reflecting the English style of building in random
flints between finely cut limestone dressings.
The Church finish for Aberdeen where slates are more traditional, and
The roofs are clad in red rosemary tiles, an unusual roof
The Church of the Sacred Heart, Torry, Aberdeen, stands the roofs overfly the eaves, showing exposed rafter end
high on an embankment, elevated above Grampian Road sprockets expressing the internal supporting roof structure.
where it is met by Glenbervie Road, overlooking the street This design detail, too, is unusual for Aberdeen, where
below, and demanding notice by its commanding site and eaves details are more spartan and areas of maintenance at
its impressive scale. high level are normally eliminated.
The Presbytery is conjoined to the Church to the South side Built circa 1911, the Church was designed by a Glasgow
and is built in a style reflecting the church. The whole creates Architect, one Charles J. Ménart who was originally of
a composition of good proportions and visual continuity Belgian extraction. His works include St Aloysius, Garnethill,
and yet is built in a style which is not quite of Aberdeen. In Glasgow (1910) listed category A; the interior design
architectural terms, it has English overtones, the massing work of Blairs College Chapel, Aberdeen (1920/11) listed
being Norman, the details stripped Romanesque, with category A; and St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee (1920/21)
Nave side aisles and transepts terminated by an apse. The listed category B: obviously, an Architect of great skill.

Sacristy

Altar Sanctuary Vestibule

PLAN

Page 27