Kemnay’s parish church appears restrained outside, yet successive architects adapted its plan, windows and interior across nearly a century.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1844–45; additions 1871; altered 1900 and 1928
- Architect / designer
- James Henderson, James Matthews, R. G. Wilson and A. Marshall Mackenzie
- Type
- T-plan rubble parish church with canted gables and gallery
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB9207)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 73715 16094
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The rubble T-plan has canted north and south gables, a southern bellcote and a large northern window with basket tracery. Roof lucarnes, a gallery and western session house reflect changing requirements within the broad preaching space.
Its story
James Henderson built the church in 1844–45. James Matthews added work in 1871, R. G. Wilson altered it in 1900 and A. Marshall Mackenzie led a substantial remodelling in 1928. In 2023 the Kemnay congregation became part of the wider Bennachie Parish.
Why it is included
Category C listing recognises a continuing parish landmark whose accumulated alterations record changing worship, design and community organisation in modern Kemnay.
What to notice
- Basket tracery in the large north window.
- A bellcote above the south gable.
- Lucarnes breaking through the roof slope.
Reading the surroundings
Respect worship, funerals and community events. Check current service or opening information before entering, remain on recognised paths and treat the surrounding graves carefully.
Timeline
- 1844–1845 James Henderson erected a new parish church for Kemnay.
- 1871–1928 Three later architects successively altered the building and its glazing.
- 1 September 2023 Kemnay joined neighbouring congregations to form Bennachie Parish.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The survival of every phase inside the church and present access beyond advertised worship were not independently checked.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Kemnay Parish Church, LB9207 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB9207 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
- Church of Scotland: Bennachie Parish at Kemnay — Current congregation identity, 2023 union and continuing community use at Kemnay.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 73715 16094 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; an additional source confirms record identity and archival context. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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