(See the foot of this page for 'Maud Review' archive material)

A little local history ...

Originally known by the name of "Bank of Behitch", Maud was initially a small hamlet where carters knew they could unhitch and rest their horses before continuing on their journey, carrying all manner of goods to and from villages across the area.

A new era began with the opening of the Buchan and Formartine section of the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1861, with Maud becoming the junction for trains to Fraserburgh and Peterhead.

As the village developed, provision had to be made for religious services. In July 1869 the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in agreement with the Presbytery of Deer, established a Chapel of Ease, or Mission, in Maud. The spiritual oversight of this lay in the hands of the Rev. James Peter, Parish Minister of Old Deer, and a Board of Trustees. Services were held in Bank School, but increasing population and the distance from the churches of Old and New Deer, led to the building of the present church in Maud. 

The earliest records are two Cash Books, one dating from 1874, dealing with the congregational accounts. From this we learn that Mr. William Duncan Frater, formerly a schoolmaster, was the Missionary in charge. He was paid a salary of £370 per annum. The Beadle's salary was £1 10/- yearly. The other Cash Book entitled "New Maud Church Account" dated 1875, sets out how monies were raised and spent in the building of the present church.

The new church was opened and dedicated on 23 June 1876. The total cost of the building came to £1100. A grant of £150 was received from the Home Mission Fund, £250 from the Baird Trustees and £200 from the Trustees of Murtle, in addition to subscriptions from other bodies and individuals. The Cash Books show that the collection taken at the opening of the church came to £18 12/-, and also that a fee of £1 was paid to Professor W. Milligan, of Aberdeen, Principle Clerk to the General Assembly, who presided at the opening.

Mr. Frater continued as preacher in the new church and was ordained by the Presbytery on 16 January 1878. He demitted office in 1883 and was succeeded by Mr. W. Cowie, who ministered to Maud congregation until 1918. Mr. Cowie was a native of Auchterless, and started life as a ploughman.

Under Mr. Cowie's ministry the congregation prospered. In 1886 a comfortable manse was built, at a cost of £500.

After the completion of the manse, it was thought fitting that the congregation petition for full status as a Quoad Sacra Parish. The population in the immediate area of the church was assessed at 750, including children. Of that number it was estimated that about 150 were full communicant members of the church. The blessing of the Presbytery was given on 23 December 1886, with the hope that the Petition to the Teind Court would be granted with "as little delay as possible". This hope was not entirely fulfilled. A carefully documented folder dealing with the correspondence in connection with the Petition shows just how arduous the whole business was. It was not until 15 July 1889 that the Teind Court finally granted the Petition. On 30 October 1889 Maud became a Quoad Sacra Parish. At the end of the folder containing the various transactions and correspondence between Mr. Cowie, Mr. J.B. McIntosh, the Church of Scotland agent, and others, Mr. Cowie wrote "Mr. J. B. McIntosh has called this the "Second Book of Deer! - It was a hard fight".

Mr. Cowie was ordained by the Presbytery on 10 July 1890, and became the first minister of the new Parish of Maud. He served the parish faithfully until his death on 17 August 1918. A plaque in the church commemorates a devoted and dedicated ministry, extending over 35 years.

The first Communion Roll contains the names of 167 members. On 23 November 1890 the first Kirk Session was constituted, numbering 7 elders. Mr. John Gall of Atherb was elected first Session Clerk. He held this post for over 30 years.

Since Mr. Cowie's ministry the church  has had nine ministers:

 Rev. W. Simpson         (1919-1927)      Rev. W. F. Young   (1953-1960)

 Rev. J. Colhoun           (1928-1932)      Rev. W. McBride     (1960-1970)

 Rev. W. D. Allan          (1933-1945)      Rev. W. D. Scott    (1970-1989)

 Rev. P. McDiarmid        (1946-1953)      Rev. A. Simpson     (1991-1997)

                                                        Rev. Dr. A. Donald   (1999-      )

During the Rev. W. Simpson's ministry, a central heating system was installed in the church and renovation and redecoration work was carried out.

In 1832 Maud congregation was united with Trinity Congregation, formerly a United Free Church.

Extensive redecoration work was done to commemorate the church's 75^th anniversary. This was also celebrated by the holding of a Special Anniversary Birthday Party in the Victoria Hall, Maud, with guest speakers.

More recently ...

An extension to the church property was made in 1967 by the building of a new hall. This was accomplished largely through the willing help of voluntary labour. It was dedicated by the Rev. D. McBride, minister at that time. Further renovation and redecoration work was carried out in 1975 in preparation for the Centenary year.

 In 1975 Maud was linked with Savoch, following the retirement of Savoch's minister, the Rev. J. Cordiner. Savoch church was erected by subscription in 1834, as a Chapel of Ease for parishioners who lived in the eastern district of New Deer, as well as those in the adjacent corners of Old Deer, Ellon, Methlick and Tarves. In May 1851 the Court of Teinds raised Savoch to the status of Quoad Sacra Parish.

Savoch Church is surrounded by a churchyard which was laid out in terraces by parishioners, at a cost of £300. The churchyard was opened in 1877.

In 1897 extensive improvements were carried out to Savoch Church. In the same year two stained glass windows were installed on either side of the pulpit. One window was presented by Mrs. Udny of Udny, the other by the Woman's Guild of the congregation.

In 1929 Savoch was united with the United Free Church. The United Free Church had been built in 1828 by the Original Secession Body and its congregation had its origins in the praying societies of Auchnagatt, Quilquox, Barrack and Savoch.  

The centenary of Maud Church was celebrated on Sunday 27 June 1976. Morning worship was led by the Rev. W. Young, who had served as minister of the congregation from 1953 to 1960. The centenary was marked by the erection of a cross on the pulpit wall of the church, and the installation of two stained glass windows on the east wall, flanking the pulpit. These windows were made and installed by monks from Pluscarden Abbey. One window is dedicated to the memory of Elders who have served the congregation, and the other window is dedicated to members of the congregation.

Over the years generous gifts from members and friends of the congregation have included bequests, legacies, church furniture and other items for use in worship or for decoration of the church.

During the linkage, which lasted over 20 years, worship continued in both Maud and Savoch churches. In February 1996, Maud & Savoch were united, and Savoch church eventually closed in October 1997. The new millennium will see the beginning of a new chapter in Maud & Savoch's history, as the congregation goes forward in a linkage with the neighbouring church of St Kane's, New Deer.  

With grateful thanks to the late Rev. W. Derek Scott who compiled and wrote this historic review of Maud & Savoch Church of Scotland.

 Thanks also to Mrs. Isabel Cumming for the closing additional paragraph.

Update: by ex-Session Clerk (1999-2010), Gordon A. Reid.

Further redecoration took place both inside and outside the church in order that we could welcome the new millennium with the interior completely painted, new lights inside and floodlighting outside. The windows were given a protective covering of Perspex and the old organ replaced with a digital piano. The bell which had not been heard for a great number of years was replaced and a mechanically operated bell now rings to welcome the congregation to worship. 

Of course we are subject to many more legislative conditions nowadays than was the case when this story began, not least the Disability Discrimination Act, and this has seen more changes for the church. A disability ramp for wheelchair access has been constructed and a disabled toilet has been built beside the main entrance to the church. A special area has also been set aside for wheelchairs should they so wish to use this, and further ramps have been added as well as some pews having been removed thus creating a greater space at the front of the church. A loop sound system for those who wear hearing aids has also been installed along with a set of speakers. Being a “service provider” as legislation now terms those who encourages the public to come and worship with us we are also subject to other rules and regulations not least Health and Safety and Fire Regulations along with all that that entails. Needless to say we comply with all of those, so we not only welcome you to join with us for our times of worship but we also welcome you in the knowledge that we provide a safe sanctuary in which you can partake in this worship.       

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