Diocesan Archive and Library
The Diocesan Christie Memorial Library is held at Aberdeen University Library and consists of over 10,000 volumes, ranging from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century. It is available for consultation in the Rare Books department.
The Diocesan Archive
The Diocesan Archive, which consists of the administrative papers of the Diocese and its pendant bodies as well as the records of many charges and some individuals, is in the process of being moved to Aberdeen University Library Special Collections. Episcopal material previously held by Aberdeen City Archives will be transferred to join it there. The move is expected to take several months. Once it is complete, researchers will be able to consult available papers in the Search Room at Aberdeen University Library.
Charges and individuals with enquiries, or wishing to deposit papers, or seeking advice on their records, should contact the acting Diocesan Archivist at archives@aberdeen.anglican.org.
People Stories – The Diocese oF Aberdeen and Orkney
Bishop Thomas Suther
The first Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney
Thomas Suther (1814 – 1883) was born in Edinburgh, and educated in Nova Scotia. Ordained in Edinburgh Diocese in 1837, he served there till 1855 when he became incumbent of St Andrew’s, Aberdeen. He was consecrated Bishop of Aberdeen in 1857, and when the dioceses were united he became the first Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney in 1865-1883. He was a fierce opponent of the Oxford Movement and the Scottish Liturgy, suspending clergy from their charges if they did not agree with him. He died at San Remo, Italy.
The Suther Chapel in St. Andrew’s was dedicated to his memory shortly after his death, and is still in regular use.