Aberdeen, Prince Regent Street, St Clement's Episcopal Church

The Church of St Clement was reputed to have been erected c 1498 to serve the small fishing settlement at Futty. The reference at this date, however, is only to the collection of moneys from the fishers for the 'kirk wark'. The chapel was in existence by at least 22 June 1467 when it was being thatched. After the Reformation the chapel fell into decay until 1631 when an endowment for a clergyman was provided by the townspeople. Attached was a burial ground which was enclosed in 1650 at the expense of George Davidson, Laird of Pettens. The chapel was replaced in 1788. The present building, now redundant, dates from 1828.

The 'town' of Futty, Fittie or Footdee has always been seen as distinct and separate rom the adjacent aburgh of Aberdeen. In part this reflects its geographical situation, lying on the north bank of the Dee at some distance from the nucleus of Aberdeen, but also its origins and the very different way of life led by its inhabitants who were dependent upon fishing for their livelihood. The earliest inhabitants of Futty probably lived in the vicinity of the church, but harbour developments in the nineteenth century made necessary some re-housing in the 'squares', near the site of the Blockhouse.

Information from ‘Historic Aberdeen: The Archaeological Implications of Development’ (1997).