ACROSS THE POND: Deconsecration of childhood church in Dingwall came as a huge shock

By Kerry MacIver

I was stunned to read about the deconsecration and sale of St James’ Episcopal Church in Dingwall.

It was the first time I’d heard anything about it.

I was a chorister at St James’ and St Anne’s Strathpeffer in the 80s and 90s, and I continued to sing at the church when I was home from university in the holidays. It was a sad day when I handed back my bright-red cassock when it became clear I was staying down south for the long-term.

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I felt very sorry for him having to put up with my stage-fright and shaky bow, but I ended up well prepared for the exam, and passed.

As a youngster, I remember being both absolutely terrified and enthralled by beloved Rector Stewart Mallin.

The Reverend Michael Hickford was an accomplished pianist, and he was gracious enough to accompany me to prepare for my associated board viola exams. I felt very sorry for him having to put up with my stage-fright and shaky bow, but I ended up well prepared for the exam, and passed.

Choirmaster Duncan Gray was fiercely dedicated to the choir and the musical development of his young choristers. Many Sundays we would find ourselves seated at the St James’ organ console with him, working towards our Royal School of Church Music ribbons. Half the time I’d be sliding off the bench and my feet hitting the pedalboard on the floor.

Duncan could be strict and he expected a lot. In its heyday, the choir was a force to be reckoned with. The large and demanding choral repertoire we covered stood me in good stead when I studied music at university, and I owe a great deal to him and the church for my solid musical foundation.

There was also a youth club for us choristers which was held in the old hall next to the church, introducing us to the delights of darts and pool. Then there were the choir parties, which were probably quite tame as far as parties go, but pretty legendary to a naïve 12-year-old like me. The choir really was like a big family.

St James’ church means a lot to many people, and it holds a lot of happy memories for me. I was baptized there and sang my first trembling solos there. Kids who sang there were welcomed in and offered a sense of community and stability.

I am deeply saddened to hear that it will be no more, and my heart goes out to the Reverend Julia Boothby and the congregation.

Kerry MacIver originally hails from the Black Isle and now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She writes about being a Scot in the USA, plays Scottish waltzes on the accordion, and loves photographing the Bay Area.

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