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Neilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish Church

‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’

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Neilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish Church

‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’

Neilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish ChurchNeilston Parish Church

‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’‘A Brief History’

In 1964 the two Church of Scotland charges in Neilston – ‘Old’ and ‘South’ –

united to form the present Neilston Parish Church.

Neilston South was the Free Church which originated in a mission in 1870 and

passed through the United Free Church from 1900 till 1929 when it joined the

Church of Scotland. A church was built on High Street in 1873 to be joined in

1930 by a hall. These premises now form the Church halls.

Neilston (Old) was the original Parish Church dating from medieval times

when it was supplied by monks, firstly from Glasgow, then after 1163 AD

when monks travelled from Paisley Abbey over the Gleniffer and Fereneze

Braes via the ‘Monks’ Trail’ to take services in the Church of Neilston.

At the Reformation the church passed to the reformed Church of Scotland and

was under the care of the Ministers of the Abbey Church of Paisley, who sent

Readers to take the services. Not until 1589 was there a settled ministry,

which has continued unbroken to the present day.

The evolution of the church building was as follows:

Until 1760 the buildings appear to have been a long, low rectangle. In 1762

two wings were added which made the church into ‘T plan’ – a popular style

of building in the 18th

century. It was still single storey but there is evidence in

the stonework of these wings, that there was a ‘Heritors’ Loft’ in each of

them, most likely entered from outside stairs. There do not appear to have

been any pews, but there may have been some wooden benches, while many

brought their own stools or stood about the floor. The Church was adorned

by a tower in 1789, the same one as today.

A major building programme from 1796 until 1798 filled in the corners of the

T shape, with the walls raised to make the building the present shape and

size, with a new roof added. The lofts were removed and the gallery erected

on three sides, this time with inside stairs, and, being open to the church,

were an unusual feature. Pews were installed in all parts of the church. Next,

in 1814, porches were built at the side entrances; a vestry/session house at

the foot of the tower in 1820; and a complete re-roofing in 1827. The organ

was built in the mid-1880s and this necessitated a reordering of the chancel

with a new pulpit.

More modifications were made in 1953 when a new vestry and choir room

were created under the galleries flanking the pulpit. The chancel rails were

removed.

Various memorials have been added over the years. A marble plaque to the

Reverend Peter MacLeod; First World War memorial windows were inserted

into the ancient Gothic window in the North Wall (1920), together with

Communion Table and Chairs. Two stained glass windows were added in

memory of the parents and uncle (Robert Craig) of Mrs Margaret Glen of

Carlibar, in the South Wall, on either side of the organ. The brass plaques to

commemorate those of the South Church, who died in the Second World War

were incorporated in later years, with various other memorials added from

time to time.

Outside the Church is the burial ground, which served the parish for

generations, but is now closed to new interments. There are many stones

commemorating long forgotten residents. There is an entrance to a burial

vault in the north wall, under the church floor, belonging to the ancient Mure

family of Caldwell – last opened in 1912. There are two other vaults – one

belonging to Dunlop of Arthurlee, and the other to Cochrane of Kirktonfield,

in the Churchyard.

At the gates of the Churchyard are the ‘Roundhouses’.

The circular one is older and was the original Session

House. This was used by elders to collect for the Poor

Fund which was the Kirk Session’s responsibility. It

may also have been used by watchmen to guard

against grave robbers in the early 1800s.

There have been over twenty ministers in 300 years.

Alexander Fleming DD, 1804–1844 is well known for

his tussles with authority over the question of provision of sufficient

accommodation in the church, and with the Heritors over seat rents. Robert

Barr MA TD JP, 1895–1952 was the longest serving minister. In the South

Church, the longest serving minister was Alexander Fergusson, 1873–1917.

In October 1998 the Congregational Board

decided to re-roof the church. In December

of that year violent storms severely

damaged the roof. This was further

compounded shortly after, when more of

the roof was removed by severe weather.

The congregation left the building on the 6th

of January 1999 and moved over to the

Church Halls (the former South Church) where they worshiped for over five

years, before returning to a completely refurbished Church, both inside and

out, on the 6th

of June 2004. The Reverend Alexander Macdonald, who was a

tower of strength during this period, was assisted at a special re-dedication

service on that day by four other ministers, including one of his predecessors -

the Rev Robert S Whiteford MA and the Rev George Hewitt, the Presbytery

Moderator. Thereafter, a large and joyous congregation retired to a lunch on

the Manse lawns.

Since 2004, there have not been many changes of note within our Church.

The Reverend Sandy Macdonald retired slightly early in 2006, due to ill health

and after a period of vacancy the Reverend Agnes P Low was inducted as our

minister in January 2008, and served with distinction until her untimely death

in June 2011, following a period of illness.

In July 2011 the Church suffered an arson attack which was fortunately

spotted early before any real damage could occur. The after effects were

contained to the front vestibule, with smoke damage to the vestry. Due to

the hard work and dedication of the church members, the congregation were

only out of the Church for two Sundays. In September of the same year the

lead was stolen from the low room of the entrance vestibules on either side of

the church, with some water damage to both roofs, which was quickly

repaired.

In October 2011, a re-dedication service was held for two new

stained glass windows on either side of the Church. These had

been commissioned by the 1st

Neilston Boys’ Brigade Company

in celebration of their 50th

Anniversary. Designed and

manufactured by a Local Artist – Elisabeth Skea, they are a

beautiful addition to our Sanctuary, and represent the

‘Community’ and the ‘Boys’ Brigade’ respectively.

Joyfully, in February of 2013, the Reverend Fiona Maxwell

BA, BD was inducted into service within Neilston Parish

Church and she continues to lead us in worship with both

vigour and enthusiasm, as we look forward to a long period

of stability and growth.

Plans of the Evolution of our Church BuildingPlans of the Evolution of our Church BuildingPlans of the Evolution of our Church BuildingPlans of the Evolution of our Church Building

(Circa 1762 to the present day)

List of MinistersList of MinistersList of MinistersList of Ministers

Ministers and Readers from Paisley Abbey

Rev Patrick Adamson ................................................................................................................................... 1574 - 1584

Rev Patrick Sharpe ....................................................................................................................................... 1584 - 1589

Mr Robert Arthur (Reader) .......................................................................................................................... 1574 - 1578

Mr James Davidson (Reader) ....................................................................................................................... 1578 - 1580

Mr John Ramage (Reader) ........................................................................................................................... 1580 - 1589

Ministers who took full charge of Neilston Parish Church

Rev John Brown ........................................................................................................................................... 1589 - 1591

Rev James Livingston MA ............................................................................................................................ 1591 - 1593

Rev George Maxwell .................................................................................................................................... 1593 - 1595

Rev Andrew Law MA .................................................................................................................................... 1595 - 1632

Rev John Law MA ......................................................................................................................................... 1632 - 1649

Rev William Semple MA .............................................................................................................................. 1649 - 1657

Rev Hugh Walker MA ................................................................................................................................... 1657 - 1662

Rev Alexander Kinnear MA .......................................................................................................................... 1663 - 1672

Rev Andrew Millar MA ................................................................................................................................. 1672 - 1687

Rev John Kinnear MA ................................................................................................................................... 1687 - 1688

Rev David Brown .......................................................................................................................................... 1688 - 1703

Rev John Miller ............................................................................................................................................ 1703 - 1733

Rev Alexander Clark MA .............................................................................................................................. 1733 - 1737

Rev Henry Millar .......................................................................................................................................... 1737 - 1772

Rev John Wilson ........................................................................................................................................... 1772 - 1784

Rev John Monteath MA ............................................................................................................................... 1785 - 1798

Rev William Hood ........................................................................................................................................ 1798 - 1804

Rev Dr Alexander Fleming MA, DD .............................................................................................................. 1804 - 1844

Rev Hugh Aird .............................................................................................................................................. 1845 - 1872

Rev Thomas Miller ....................................................................................................................................... 1873 - 1878

Rev Peter MacLeod ...................................................................................................................................... 1879 - 1894

Neilston Old Parish Church

(The word ‘Old’ was added to the name of the Church in 1929 until 1964)

Rev Robert Barr MA, TD, JP ......................................................................................................................... 1895 - 1952

Rev Robert S Whiteford MA ........................................................................................................................ 1953 - 1964

Neilston South Parish Church

(Free Church 1873-1900, United Free Church 1900-1929, Church of Scotland 1929-1964)

Rev Archibald Fergusson ............................................................................................................................. 1873 - 1917

Rev John A Hunter MA, BD .......................................................................................................................... 1916 - 1920

Rev John D Connell ...................................................................................................................................... 1921 - 1925

Rev Kenneth E Macaulay MA ....................................................................................................................... 1925 - 1934

Rev James McDonald ................................................................................................................................... 1934 - 1945

Rev Harry S Watson ..................................................................................................................................... 1945 - 1962

Neilston Parish Church

(Union of Churches - 1964)

Rev Robert S Whiteford MA ........................................................................................................................ 1964 - 1967

Rev John McArthur MA ............................................................................................................................... 1968 - 1978

Rev Fraser R Aitken MA, BD ......................................................................................................................... 1978 - 1984

Rev Alexander Macdonald MA .................................................................................................................... 1984 - 2006

Rev Agnes P Low MA ................................................................................................................................... 2008 - 2011

Rev Fiona Maxwell MA ................................................................................................................................. 2013 -