3-082-952 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new parish church at Crathie, 1895. 'The Queen will doubtless have great satisfaction in the completion of the new parish church at Crathie, which is to be opened during her residence at Balmoral. There are many links between the parish and the royal family, and in the erection of this new edifice the Queen and her children have taken very deep interest. The pulpit, a particularly ornate feature, is the gift of the royal household. Its base consists of grey granite from the Inver quarries not far from Balmoral Castle. The pulpit itself is of Scottish granite, marble, and porphyry, decorated with Iona pebbles and marbles which have been presented by Princess Louise, Marchioness of Lorne. The fine granite font was given by the Duke of Connaught. For the benefit of this church a bazaar of unique interest, owing to the presence of so many members of the royal family, was held last year, and realised a large sum of money'. In 1848 Queen Victoria began the custom, which continues to this day, of members of the Royal Family and their guests worshipping with local people in Crathie Kirk. A gift of £2,000 was made by her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Louise who raised the money at a Bazaar held in the grounds of Balmoral Castle. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.