The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Trail of destruction by
Churches: Tome preserved for decades reveals detailed records of damage
A ledger recording the extensive damage to Church of Scotland-owned buildings during World War II today reveals how the Kirk was “in the front line”.
The recently-uncovered Register of War Damaged Properties details every incident inflicted by the Luftwaffe – the German air force – in the 1940s.
About 800 church buildings were affected, including nearly 50 in Aberdeen presbytery and 26 in Deer, which covers Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
Preserved for decades in the basement of the Kirk’s office in Edinburgh, the tome sets out dates, the extent of the destruction and cost of repairs.
Among the entries is a reference to St Machar’s Cathedral and manse, which sustained roof and window damage on April 21, 1943.
Broadford House, a Kirkrun home for boys in Aberdeen, took a day.
The black, hardback ledger, which is being unveiled for the first time before being handed over to the National Archives of Scotland, records: “Main walls forced outwards.
“Severe damage to roof, windows and internal partitions. Will probably require to be demolished and rebuilt.”
Two separate incidents involving the Old Parish Church in Fraserburgh on July 16, 1940 and June 26, 1941, are also listed.
And St James’ Church in Lossiemouth took a battering on July 12, 1941, with glass and plasterwork damage recorded.
Also noted in the register are details of two attacks in the Shetland Islands – at St Olaf’s and St Ringan’s in Lerwick on January 23-24, 1942 and hit on the same
“Offers insight into some of the challenges the church faced”
at Sandwick on December 14, 1944.
Dr Jeremy Crang, a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh’s history, classics and archaeology school, said the information cast fresh light on the impact of the war on Scotland.
He added: “It demonstrates that Scotland’s churches were very much in the frontline.
“It offers an insight into some of the challenges and traumas that the church faced in wartime.
“The geographical spread of the war damage to churches recorded in the ledger reminds us that the German air force ranged far and wide across Scotland during its bombing campaign.
“There is a sense here of bureaucratic defiance – that order had to be maintained in the midst of chaos.”
The Rev Bill Hogg, convener of the Church of Scotland’s committee on church art and architecture said seeing damaged Kirks – places of stability and continuity – must have been “quite devastating” for communities.
He added: “What this register represents is the attempt the church was making to keep things going.”
A total of 89 cities and towns were bombed across Scotland by the Luftwaffe during the 1939-45 conflict.
Official figures suggest 2,298 people were killed, 2,167 seriously injured and 3,558 slightly injured.
According to Luftwaffe Over Scotland author Les Taylor, the most bombed town was Peterhead, which sustained 28 multiple attacks, followed by Aberdeen (24) and Fraserburgh (23).