Cambuslang Old Parish Church, (The Old Kirk, Kirkhill, Cambuslang.)

What does the slideshow contain?

Pictures of Cambuslang Old Parish Church, many with descriptions, which show the interior as it looked before internal conversion permanently changed its appearance. There are also external views, plus a few photographs post conversion. A suitable music track written and performed by Peter Strachan is also included. Others who contributed to the creation of this music, and their participation, is acknowledged during the end credits.

Some brief background information:

The church building, which had been out of regular use since 2009 was sold by the Church of Scotland authorities during late 2016, and after internal conversion will become a "High Flyers" nursery/day-care centre and a "GT Logical Golf" golf studio.

As a structure of historical importance, the church has been classified as a category "B" listed building, prohibiting modifications to its exterior. However, as change of use will require a substantial amount of internal conversion work, the sensible thing to do from a historical perspective, would be to create a comprehensive photographic record of the church's interior before this work starts. This slideshow presentation in conjunction with the related 128 page, A4 sized photo book, first published during 2017 I believe has gone a long way to achieving that objective.

Relevant Dates:

History suggests there has been a place of worship on the site of the Cambuslang Old Parish Church, also known locally as the "Old Kirk" or Kirkhill Church since the 6th century. The present church was built during 1841 on the site of one built in 1743, which in turn succeeded one built during 1626. A church with a burial ground is also noted at this site in 1458. Since 1841 the church's interior has seen numerous changes, including a new impressive stained-glass window, the work of Sadie F. McLellan, which was installed into the chancel during 1957, replacing the earlier coloured glass version. She is also credited with creating the church's other stained-glass windows, plus the Burning Bush pulpit fall tapestry, circa 1957/58, which can also be seen in this slideshow.

Four years after the first world war ended, Glasgow architect MacGregor Chalmers' refurbishment scheme was taken off the shelf, amended then implemented. A service of dedication marking the scheme's completion was held on Saturday, 23rd December, 1922. The pulpit and other chancel furnishings, including the choir stalls and oak panelling came to the church as a direct result of this scheme.

The rectangular stone with the inscription "MAT 1626", known as "The Thompson Stone" was part of the 1623 church, which was completed in 1626. The initials are those of the then minister Mr., Alexander Thompson, with 1626 being the completion date. That same year he moved to St., Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. Since then, the 395-year-old stone has been incorporated into subsequent church buildings on the Kirkhill site. On this occasion it was placed inside the church's steeple area and reset into the wall above the bell-ringer room's small entry/exit door. Placing this historic stone inside the building has protected it from weather erosion and vandals, thus preserving it for future generations.

Additional Information:

Unfortunately, prior to my involvement in this project church officers had authorised the removal of numerous important artefacts, including tapestries also credited to Sadie F. McLellan, plus memorial tablets, the chancel cross, and other items of cultural importance.

Sadie F. McLellan's past history is briefly mentioned in the "Crawfordjohn Heritage Venture's" website: http://www.crawfordjohn.org/SadieMcL.htm.

For those people who are interested in local history a very informative, if rare, 76-page book "At the Sign of The Fish" researched, compiled and written by the Revd Ian M.P. Davidson, M.B.E. M.A. B.D., (retired) charts the history of Cambuslang Old Parish Church from the 6th century through to 1975, the year it was published. His fastidious research efforts and subsequent book made it possible for me to include descriptions with historical context to many of the A4 book's pictures, which were subsequently added to this slideshow.

What I omitted to note in the slideshow was the installation date of the stained-glass windows located at the entrance to the church, which was 1958. On the left as you approach the building you see a crown and palm branches, and on the right a harp and trumpets. In the slideshow, because these windows are now partially obscured these are described as: "East wall's left side front staircase stained-glass window"/"East wall's right side front staircase stained-glass window".

In addition to the A4 book's pictures it contains more information about Cambuslang Old Parish Church, the "Old Kirk", a copy of which is held by the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, and by Strathclyde University's Andersonian Library, Glasgow.

David Kelly...01/03/2021.