Churches of Aberdeen : Historical and Descriptive . ambition drovehim to the west end among the gentry. Whatever may have been Mr. Gordonsmotives, the Presbytery, although approv-ing of the site when it was chosen,evidently came to the opinion that itwas a mistake. As early as 6th January,1846—within a few months after Mr. Gor-dons removal—the court had under con-sideration a proposal to remove the con-gregation from Crown Street. In themeantime, repeated efforts had been madeto secure a new minister for Greyfriars, but three times in succession the call wasdeclined. The fourth attempt was mor
Churches of Aberdeen : Historical and Descriptive . ambition drovehim to the west end among the gentry. Whatever may have been Mr. Gordonsmotives, the Presbytery, although approv-ing of the site when it was chosen,evidently came to the opinion that itwas a mistake. As early as 6th January,1846—within a few months after Mr. Gor-dons removal—the court had under con-sideration a proposal to remove the con-gregation from Crown Street. In themeantime, repeated efforts had been madeto secure a new minister for Greyfriars, but three times in succession the call wasdeclined. The fourth attempt was moresuccessful, Rev. John Thomson, of Montrose(a half-brother of the celebrated Dr. AndrewThomson, of St Georges, Edinburgh), ac-cepting the invitation, and being inductedto the charge on 5th November, 1846. Thecontroversy over the removal of the con-gregation continued for some time, butultimately it was formally decided to leavethe Crown Street district. The churchwhich was then relinquished afterwardspassed into the hands of the Episcopalians,. Old Free Greyfriars Church, Crown Street. and was for many years known as Episcopal Church. It is used to-day as the Aberdeen Physical TrainingCollege. The Greyfriars congregation were againhomeless, and they worshipped for a con-siderable time in the Free South ChurchSchools in Charlotte Street, pending theselection of a site for a new church. Thiswas eventually found in George Street, atits junction with Maberly Street, where thepresent church stands. The opening ser-vices in the new building were held on 17thJune, 1855, the preachers on the occasionbeing the famous Dr. Guthrie, of Edin-burgh, Rev. Professor Patrick Fairbairn,and Rev. John Thomson, minister of thecongregation. Dr. Guthrie, who was a L32 THE CHURCHES OF ABERDEEN relative of Mr. Thomson, also gave apublic lecture on a week evening in theFree South Church, the proceeds going tothe Greyfriars Building Fund. Mr. Thom-son continued in the pastorate for other 15
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