Esther McNair-Chaplin retires after 25 Years of Service at St John the Baptist, Perth
After 25 years of quiet but dedicated service, Esther McNair-Chaplin has stepped down from her role as sacristan at St John the Baptist RC Church in Perth. Her retirement marks the end of an era defined by devotion, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose.
Esther began her work in the sacristy a quarter of a century ago, after retiring to her husband’s native Scotland in 1996. Esther’s husband’s work as an engineer took the couple across the globe—to Iran, Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria—many place of which would later become areas of political and civil unrest. These experiences abroad shaped Esther’s calm resilience and quiet dignity, traits that would become her hallmarks in her work within the parish community.
In her role, Esther took special care of the altar linen, lovingly repaired vestments, and designed and created antependia for the altar and ambo. She was a skilled and devoted needleworker, able to mend and repurpose with creativity and care—guided, she said, by skills “learned from the heart.”
Over the years, she worked alongside successive priests, like Mgr Charles Hendry, Canon Tom Shields, Mgr Martin Drysdale, and their curates such as Fr Colin Golden, Fr Bill Finnigan, and Fr Jim McCruden. Each one knew her for her quiet reliability and generous spirit. Esther’s predecessor in the role, Mrs Elizabeth Rumgay, left big shoes to fill, but Esther was to bring her own gentle and gracious touch to the role.
Over the years thousands of mourners would have watched Esther, at the heart of the church’s liturgy—lighting candles on the altar for Mass or preparing the thurible for the Final Commendation. In these small but deeply symbolic moments, she offered reverence and continuity.
During the Redemptosrist’s last Parish Mission to St John’s, Fr Ronnie McAinsh of Kinnoull Monastery described her service: “Esther is always the soul of welcome. She brings a great dignity and style to the role of sacristan; quietly going about her work in the parish. Visiting priests are quickly set at ease by her reassurance that she has prepared everything. We are also greeted by her beaming smile and by her warm welcome and the joyful colours of her traditional costumes.”
Though almost all her work was self-funded, Esther’s resourcefulness was legendary. Following the closures of Remnant Kings and Acorn Fabrics, two popular textile shops, in Perth, she adapted to the challenge of sourcing materials, never compromising on care or beauty. In recent years, any ‘unwanted’ vestments and altar cloths found new life in parishes with a greater need, thanks to her eye for recycling and her heart for service.
Reflecting on her work in the parish, Esther said, “so many parishioners have become good friends. They have been so kind and supportive. Their kindness and practical help will always remain with me.”
The baton of responsibility passes to Sr Colette IMH, and, as she steps back from her duties, Esther leaves a legacy not just of embroidered fabrics and polished thuribles, but of grace, faithfulness, and love lived out through humble service. The parish community of St John the Baptist gives thanks for all she has done.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Mitchell