St John's Chapel in the Kirk of St Nicholas

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About the Location:

The refurbishing and the adornment of the North Transept, the most ancient part of Kirk of St Nicholas, was dedicated to those who lost their lives over the course of 25 years of the Oil Industry in the North Sea. It was named St John’s Chapel in the presence of the Princess Royal on 25th June 1990. The name not only fittingly revived the original dedicated in the middle ages, but also celebrates the patron saint of oilmen. Disasters such as Piper-Alpha in 1988 had sparked the North Sea Industries into wishing to celebrate the achievements of that quarter century, and to recognize its costliness, in terms of lives lost, in a fitting way.

The furnishings by renowned wood-sculptor Tim Stead, and the stained glass window and floor rug by award winning stained glass window designer Shona McInnes have lead to a contemporary, individual and thoughtful memorial. Shona McInnes won the coveted 'Saltire' award for the stained glass window depicting the North Sea Oil Industry and its links with Aberdeen, whilst the screen and seating by Tim Stead is among his most beautiful work.