|
The Facts
The honest, plain simplicity of our church building mirrors 750 years of worship on this site, in following Christ and reflecting his concern and respect for our neighbour. The site of the present church has been a place of Christian worship since the 12th Century and in 1252AD the revenues were granted to the Red Friars by the Monastery at Faile which was founded then. The Reformation ended this connection.
The present building was erected in 1809, the third building since the Reformation of 1560, at a total cost of £3200. The architect was John Brash of Glasgow. It has a 120ft spire. The chancel was added to the original rectangular building in 1912 and the organ, by J. J. Binns of Leeds, was installed in 1913. It has an electro-pneumatic action patented by the organ maker.
The stained glass windows at the rear of the chancel form part of a memorial to church members who died in the First World War. Gifted to the church by John Littlejohn, coalmaster and elder, the windows were designed by Oscar Paterson of Glasgow. The surrounding Kirkyard was closed in 1859 and includes at the South Porch the upright gravestone of Andrew Richmond who was killed by bloody Graham of Claverhouse in June 1679 for his adherence to the word of God and Scotland’s Covenanted Reformation. Another Covenanting Memorial for five more Covenanters is situated nearby and together they form a Covenanters’ Corner created in 1987.
The first bell is now installed in Cessnock Castle; the second bell sits in the front vestibule of the church; the present bell was erected by the congregation in 1885.
A Belgian flag on the back wall of the church was presented by Belgian refugees in recognition of hospitality received in Galston from
1914-1919.
|
