This portion of our guide focuses on faith, religion, and spirituality in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Websites representing ministries and places of worship in Aberdeen are appropriate for this category, regardless of the particular religion, denomination, or sect. Additionally, websites centered on faith or religion in Aberdeen, historical or contemporary, may be found here.
Although Aberdeen has several historic and modern churches, it is the least religious city in Scotland, with more than forty percent of its population claiming no religion.
For those who are, the largest denomination in the city is the Church of Scotland through the Presbytery of Aberdeen, followed by the Roman Catholic Church. The influence of Catholicism throughout Scotland is growing, however.
The city is also home to Christian churches from several other denominations, as well as an Islamic mosque, a Buddhist temple, a Unitarian church, and a small Jewish congregation. A Baháʼí Faith society is active at the University of Aberdeen.
Due to a declining interest in religion, several of the city's historic churches have been converted to other uses, such as restaurants and bars. Others continue to host active congregations, however.
The Kirk of Saint Nicholas has a history that goes back at least as far as 1151. Its congregation was dissolved in 2020, although the building is under the care of the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland.
Known locally as Old Machar, Saint Machar's Cathedral is affiliated with the Church of Scotland. Situated in Old Aberdeen, the church is technically a high kirk, as it hasn't been the seat of a bishop since 1690. The original church was built about 580, although it was replaced by a Norman cathedral in 1131. The church suffered greatly during the Reformation but is still used by the Church of Scotland as a parish church.
Generally known as Saint Mary's Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary of the Assumption is home to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen, of the Diocese of Aberdeen, in the Province of St. Andrews & Edinburgh. Built before 1860, spires and bells were added in 1876 to elevate the church to the status of a cathedral.
The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, also known as Saint Andrew's Cathedral, is a Scottish Episcopal Church in Aberdeen. It is the See of the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney. The church opened as St. Andrew's Chapel in 1817, and became a cathedral in 1914.
Built in 1803, Saint Peter's Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located next to Saint Andrew's Cathedral in Aberdeen's city centre. It replaced a small chapel that had been built in 1774.
These are a few of the more prominent churches in Aberdeen, although the city is home to several others.
Recommended Resources
Aberdeen Mosque & Islamic Centre
AMIC is the main mosque and Islamic centre in Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland. Its purpose is to advance the understanding and practice of the Islamic faith and the benefit of the Muslim community and wider public, providing for religious education, and promoting good relations between the Aberdeen Muslim community and other Scottish communities. Prayer times, services, educational programmes, outreach activities, and a calendar of events are posted, along with contacts.
https://aberdeenmosque.org/
Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre
The Jewish community in Aberdeen, Scotland is centred on Dee Street. Founded as the Aberdeen Hebrew Congregation in 1893, it took its current name in 2016. Its history, membership contacts, and an overview of its religious services, and a guide to Jewish visitors to the city are offered on the site, along with a calendar of upcoming programmes and events, contacts, and information on contributing to the congregation. A newsletter and an annual report are included.
https://www.asjcc.co.uk/
Cathedral Church of St. Machar, The
Located in the former burgh of Old Aberdeen, now part of Aberdeen, Scotland, St. Machar's Cathedral is commonly known as Old Machar. The Church is open to visitors from Monday through Saturday, seasonally, according to schedules published on the website. An overview of the building and its history is presented, and its worship and concert schedules, cathedral life, educational, and outreach programmes, are highlighted, with schedules, contacts, and other details.
https://www.stmachar.com/
Founded in 1951, King's Church was the first Assemblies of God congregation in Aberdeen, Scotland. The church recently moved from its original King's Street location to the old Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre in the Bridge of Don area. Its history, a statement of beliefs, schedules, a calendar of events, an introduction to its leadership staff, and contact information are set forth. Its fellowship, educational, and community outreach programmes are included.
https://kingschurchaberdeen.com/
Located on Kincorth Circle in Kincorth, Aberdeen, Scotland, the Baptist congregation uses the King James Version of the Bible as the authorized text. Its beliefs on God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, sin, salvation, the church, baptism and the Lord's Supper, evangelism, the Last Days, and separation from the world, are stated on the site. Its location, contacts, service schedules, a calendar of events, and live-streaming of Sunday services are included. Past services may be viewed online.
https://www.odbcaberdeen.co.uk/
Presbytery of Aberdeen and Shetland, The
Formed in 2020 when the Presbyteries of Aberdeen and Shetland merged, there are twenty-eight congregations in the Presbytery, which includes the city of Aberdeen and the islands of Shetland. The address and contacts for the Presbytery offices are set forth, along with a list of member congregations and ministries, an introduction to the Moderator, a list of Presbytery and ministerial vacancies, meeting minutes, a Presbytery yearbook, and administrative officers.
https://www.aberdeenshetlandpresbytery.org.uk/
River Church is a non-denominational Christian church in Aberdeen, Scotland. The address, a map, and an email address are posted on the site, which includes a schedule of Sunday gatherings, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, information on what to expect when attending a service for the first time, and an overview of its children's ministries, leadership programs, and small group programs. Videos of some of its programs may be viewed online.
https://www.riverchurchaberdeen.com/
The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew is a Scottish Episcopal cathedral in Aberdeen, and the See of the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney. Situated on King Street, its address, a map, telephone number, and email address are set forth, along with service schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and information about scheduling baptisms and weddings. Photos, videos, and announcements of special programs and events are published on the site, and contributions may be made online.
https://www.standrewsaberdeen.org/
St. Peter's Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Aberdeen, Scotland. Built in 1803, is is next to St. Andrew's Cathedral in the centre region of the city. Associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen, its policies on arranging for a baptism are set forth, along with other sacramental preparations, Mass schedules, and a calendar of events. The text of talks from the Father and Bishop are published, and its location, address, and contacts are included.
https://www.stpetersaberdeen.com/
Built in 1860, the Roman Catholic Church became a Cathedral in 1878. The history of the congregation and of Roman Catholicism in Aberdeen is told here, including its architecture. Its clergy and leadership team are set forth, registration and memberships, as well as Adoration schedules, a Sunday bulletin, and a calendar of upcoming programmes and events. Its groups, ministries, and contacts are published on the site, and Mass is available via live streaming.
http://www.stmaryscathedralaberdeen.org/
Affiliated with the International Presbyterian Church, the congregation meets at its facilities on Urquhart Road in Aberdeen, Scotland. Sunday service schedules, and announcements of special programs and events are posted, along with the church's address, church leadership and staff, and an online contact form. Services and other programs may also be viewed online or via the church's Youtube channel. Building projects and other activities are reported on the site.
https://trinityaberdeen.org.uk/
