Carstairs Junction Church History
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Carstairs Junction ChurchA Brief History
1879 - 2006
"These stones will remind the people of what the Lord
has done. In the future, when your children ask what these stones mean to you, you will tell them"
Joshua 4:6
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Ministers of Carstairs Junction Church
1879 - 2006
1879-1913 - The Rev. John Bell, M.A.
1917-1952 - The Rev. William Duncanson McGill
1953-1961 - The Rev. N. Douglas Craig, M.A., B.D.
1962-1968 - The Rev. John Bowie
1969-1974 - The Rev. Archibald T. Black, B.Sc.
1975-1984 - The Rev. Donald Pirie, L.Th.
1984-1995 - The Rev. Melville D. Crosthwaite, B.D., Dip. Ed., Dip. Min.
1996-2004 - The Rev. J. M. Coogan, L.Th.
2005-2006 - The Rev. Iain Goring, B.Sc., B.D.
CARSTAIRS JUNCTION CHURCH
Most families, from time to time, look back at their history and origins, passing on to a new generation a sense of their background. The church family is no different. In March 2006 a new congregation was formed, the United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction, an opportunity to move forward in God's service, and also an opportunity to look back at the history of Carstairs Junction Church.
The Church was built in 1879, at a time when Carstairs Junction was a very important railway village. The Junction station was built by the Caledonian Railway Company in 1848. Houses were built, for the families of those who worked on the railway, many of whom moved to the Junction for employment. In time, the Caledonian Railway Company built a School, Schoolhouse, Church and Manse.
Money was collected from local railwaymen, who paid a set sum every week over a period of time and the Church was built by local labour. Those who remember the involvement of their families, and the contributions made by them at that time, as well as their faithful service in the life of the church, understandably, feel a strong sense of loyalty to the Junction Church.
The Church was originally built as a Chapel of Ease to Carstairs Church. One member recalls attending the Church as a child, from around 1926 onwards. She remembers that many residents of the Junction chose to worship at Carnwath, Pettinain or Carstairs, rather than at the Junction.
Church House, built as a manse, was occupied by the first two ministers. Later it was the home of the Church Officer, until 1972. Although unoccupied since then, it has been used for the creche, Sunday School, youth group, Guild, and for meetings of the Congregational Board and Kirk Session. During a period of the congregation's outreach programme, it was used as a clinic for mothers and toddlers, in association with the local health visitor.
Extensive renovations are now required, and the house is not often used. At the Annual Stated Meeting on Sunday 26th February, 2006, members agreed the house was surplus to requirements and should be sold. Back to top
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It is not possible to detail all that has gone on in 127 years in the life of a congregation. Those who have ministered here are, of course, a very important part of our history. What follows is a reminder of each of the ministers who served at Carstairs Junction and some of the changes which took place during those ministries.1879-1913 - The first minister at Carstairs Junction was the Rev John Bell, M.A.. A plaque on the wall inside the Church, near the pulpit, reads as follows:- "Erected by the congregation of Carstairs Junction and Friends in affectionate remembrance of the Rev. John Bell, M.A. first minister of this Church who died 8th August, 1913 in the 71st year of his age and the 34th year of his ministry ".
1917-1952 - The second minister was the Rev. William Duncanson McGill. Mr. McGill, had two sisters living with him, and they assisted him during services. He not only conducted services, but played the organ and violin, and taught in the Sunday School. He also ran the Band of Hope.
On 10th April, 1945 Mr. McGill presided over a meeting in the Church, at which it was decided to form Carstairs Junction Church Womans Guild and office bearers and committee were duly elected.
Mr. McGill retired in June 1952. The Rev. John Smart, minister at Carstairs, conducted services at the Junction Church until his own retirement in September 1952.
On 7th December, 1952, the Presbytery of Lanark united the Chapel of Ease at Carstairs Junction with the charge at Carstairs in terms of a Basis of Union approved on 28th October, 1952.
1953-1961 - The Induction of the Rev. N. Douglas Craig, M.A., B.D., to the new united congregation, took place in July 1953. The two churches, at Carstairs and Carstairs Junction, remained open for worship, and the accounts of both churches were combined. Mr. Craig left to go to Dalbeattie in October 1961.
1962-1968 - The Induction of the Rev. John Bowie, to the united congregation, took place in March, 1962. Back to top
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In 1965, during Mr. Bowie?s ministry, at a duly constituted meeting of the united congregation it was desired that the Union should be dissolved - the erection of Carstairs Junction into a Parish - the linking of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction Churches and the granting of a Model Deed of Constitution to both congregations. This was approved by the General Assembly of 1965. Mr. Bowie died in July 1968.1969-1974 - The Induction of the Rev. Archibald T. Black, B.Sc., to the linked charge of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction, took place in March, 1969. It was during his ministry that the present Manse in Lanark Road was purchased, and following repairs and alterations, Mr. Black and his family moved from the old Manse, into the new Manse, in May 1973. Mr. Black moved to Ness Bank Church, Inverness in August, 1974.
1975-1984 - The Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Donald Pirie, L.Th., to the linked charge took place in April, 1975.
During Mr. Pirie's ministry, and as part of the centenary celebrations in 1979, the oak pews, which had been previously treated unsuccessfully for woodworm, were removed and replaced by the chairs now in use. This allows the Church to be used as a hall for social evenings, when tables can be set up. The Church has been used for Sunday School parties; Guild Social evenings; and other fund-raising events including silent auctions, coffee evenings and even a ceilidh.
Mr. Pirie, moved to Lenzie Old Parish Church in February, 1984.
1984-1995 - The Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Melville D. Crosthwaite, B.D., Dip. Ed., Dip. Min., to the linked charge, took place in August, 1984.
During his ministry meetings for prayer were held weekly in the manse; Housegroups for Bible study and discussion met in the homes of several church members and a Banner Group was formed. Joint Evening Services were held at Forth St Pauls, Carnwath, Carstairs and Carstairs Junction conducted jointly by the three ministers of those Churches.
Mr. Crosthwaite moved to Larbert East in November, 1995. Back to top
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1996-2004 - The Induction of the Rev. J. M. Coogan, L.Th., to the linked charge, took place in November, 1996. The congregation had reached a point in its history when life was more difficult. Attendances were lower and it was a struggle to meet financial obligations towards ministerial costs and the wider work of the church.At the beginning of 1998 the congregation learned that extensive repair work was required to the gable wall of the church, costing well over £30,000. With insufficient funds available in the congregations fabric fund, grant aid was applied for, and secured. The General Trustees granted a loan, to be paid back over a five year period. A great deal of fund-raising was necessary, and thanks to the hard work and generosity of members, and the people of Carstairs Junction, the loan was repaid in just over three years.
When Mr. Coogan demitted on the grounds of ill-health in September, 2004 a period of uncertainty followed, and it seemed for a time that Carstairs Junction Church may have to close. The congregations at Carstairs and Carstairs Junction applied to be considered for the appointment of an Interim Minister. This was supported by Lanark Presbytery and subsequently agreed by the Board of Ministry.
2005-2006 - The Service of Introduction of the Rev Iain Goring, BSc., BD, as Interim Minister took place on 8th March, 2005. Under his ministry both congregations worked closely together. Both branches of the Guild had a joint syllabus for the 2005-2006 session which was very successful indeed.
On Monday 16th January, 2006 the Presbytery of Lanark chaired two separate meetings at which both congregations voted unanimously for a Union of the Congregations. The Presbytery of Lanark approved the Basis of Union at their meeting on 4th February, 2006. The General Assembly's Committee gave their approval and a Service of Union took place on Thursday 2nd March, 2006, in the Church at Carstairs Junction. The new congregation, the United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction, will see both churches remain open for worship. Back to top
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The "church" is not simply a building, but is the people of God - members of the congregation - those who worship God and serve Him in their daily lives. Members of today's congregation remember all those who have gone before, and give thanks for their faithfulness, and for all they did in God's service in the Junction. It is important to know about the past - to be able to understand why people often have a deep sense of loyalty to a place of worship.However, in God's service things do not stand still. Under His guidance and with His blessing, we look forward to being 'the church' in our new congregation - The United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction - and we are excited about the future.
Our future will one day be history for others to read. We pray for God's rich blessings, as we work together in a new way, for only then will it be a history worth reading. God has promised to be always with us, and we have every confidence in His promise. Our part is to be determined and confident as we follow in the way He leads us.
"Just be determined, be confident;
and make sure that you obey the whole Law
that my servant Moses gave you.
Do not neglect any part of it
and you will succeed wherever you go.
Be sure that the book of the Law
is always read in your worship.
Study it day and night, and make sure
that you obey everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Remember that I have commanded you
to be determined and confident!
Don't be afraid or discouraged,
for I, the Lord your God,
am with you wherever you go"
Joshua 1:7-9
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The United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction Back to top