St Ninian's Church was erected, like Beechgrove Church (now flats) as part of the Extension Movement in Aberdeen, to serve what was a new residential district around Mid Stocket Road and Mile-End. William Kelly was appointed architect in 1897, and the foundation stone was laid by Lord Balfour of Burleigh on the 13th of October 1898. The church opened for worship on the 5th of September 1900, and had cost £6000-£7000 in total. Gammie notes that "a new and striking addition had been made to the ecclesiastical architecture of the city".
Over the next few years Kelly designed various fittings for the church interior, and also gifted the sundial on the S gable in May 1902. In 1903 the fine chancel window by Douglas Strachan was gifted by the widow and son of Mr Archibald Coutts. The organ was installed in 1906, it has 1401 pipes and was made by E F Walcker and Co. of Ludwigsburg with cases by Kelly. In 1909 the new hall was added for a cost of £250, this was then extended between 1956-57 by Mr A M Stewart at a cost of £15,000.
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Background Photo © Bill Harrison (cc-by-sa/2.0)