Carstairs Village Church History
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Carstairs ChurchA Brief History
1795 - 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
Good News Bible
Ministers of Carstairs Church
1795 - 2006
1795-1809 - The Rev. James Finlayson
1809-1875 - The Rev. George Munro, A.M.
1857-1887 - The Rev. William Struthers, M.A.
1888-1923 - The Rev. Robert Meredith Sharpe, M.A.
1928-1952 - The Rev. John Smart
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 CHURCH
In March 2006 a new congregation was formed, the United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction. Around that time it was decided to publish a short history of the two previous churches, as an opportunity for people to look back at the history of both buildings, and as a reminder of the ministers who have served the congregations worshipping in them.
This brief account is not meant to be a comprehensive history of the church at Carstairs. A full history was produced for Carstairs Parish Church by May E. R. Kirk in November, 1994, and was published at the time of the Bi-Centenary celebrations in 1995. Most of the information which follows was obtained from that Bi-Centenary booklet, a few copies of which are still available for anyone who would like a copy.
There was probably a church in Carstairs prior to the twelfth century, but no records exist. The first documented evidence originates from the year 1170, but it is not known whether the present church is on the original site.
1795-1809 -The present church at Carstairs was built in 1795 during the ministry of the Rev. James Finlayson. It was described as "a new and elegant church ... 51 feet by 32 feet within the walls, with an aisle and gallery; the side 20 feet in height, and the steeple 53 feet, and it all to be finished in proper style." With 430 sittings for land-owners and farmers in the parish, many families in the village had no right to sittings and some felt obliged to leave the church as a result.
1809-1857 - The Rev. George Munro, A.M. was the first minister to occupy the new Manse, built in 1820, which is now known as Glebe House, situated in the Glebe (church lands) of Carstairs. Described as "an elegant and commodious manse, with offices and garden wall ... about five minutes walk from the church." During this ministry the village layout was designed and carried out by Henry Monteith of Carstairs House.
1857-1887 - During the ministry of the Rev. William Struthers, M.A. little was recorded in the minutes except election of elders, and the disciplining of members for wrong-doing. Back to top
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1888-1923 - The ordination took place of the Rev. Robert Meredith Sharpe M.A. who had previously been assistant minister of Irvine Parish Church. Alterations were made to the communion table pews and other structural alterations inside the church; including moving the pulpit from the side wall on the south of the building to its present position, erecting a second gallery, repositioning pews and installing heating.In April 1905 a Guild leader was appointed although Guild records date from much later, beginning in 1928. In 1906 a new organ was presented to the church and a replacement, the present one was gifted in 1922.
1924-1927 - On 11th October 1923, the Rev. George W. K. Macpherson, M.A., B.D. was elected as minister. He had been assistant minister at St. Cuthbert's Parish Church in Edinburgh. He held his closing service on 18th September 1927 and left to go to Jedburgh Parish Church.
In 1927 the responsibility for the maintenance of the fabric of the Church and Manse passed from the Heritors to the Kirk Session.
1928-1952 - The Rev. John Smart was elected minister of Carstairs Parish Church on 20th January, 1928. A Fabric Fund was set up in September 1929. A small building was erected behind the vestry to provide toilet facilities and electricity was installed in the church. In 1933 electricity was installed in the manse.
Following the retirement of the Rev. William Duncanson McGill at Carstairs Junction in June 1952, Mr. Smart conducted services at both churches until his own retiral in September 1952. The Presbytery of Lanark recommended a Union of Carstairs Parish Church and Carstairs Junction Church and this was agreed.
1953-1961 - The Rev. N. Douglas Craig M.A., B.D. was inducted in July 1953. Wooden plates for uplifting the offerings were gifted to both churches. It was agreed the Woman's Guild would continue as two separate branches of the Guild. Free Will offering envelopes were introduced at both churches in 1956. In 1957 seat rents were discontinued and six new windows were installed in the church. Mr. Craig moved to Dalbeattie in October 1961. Back to top
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1962-1968 - The Rev. John Bowie of Langside Avenue Church, Glasgow was elected to the vacant charge and his Induction took place on 1st March, 1962. During his ministry youth organisations were introduced within the church, the Life Boys, the Boy's Brigade and the Girl's Guildry.Mr. Bowie proposed to alter the arrangement of Union to Linked Charge, creating two Kirk Sessions and two Congregational Boards. The subsequent Link took effect from 1st July, 1965. In 1966 a Men?s Association was formed and the Ladies Fellowship started. Mr. Bowie died on 31st July, 1968.
1969-1974 - The Induction of the Rev. Archibald T. Black, B.Sc., to the linked charge took place on 17th March 1969. During his ministry a Youth Fellowship was formed. Hospital visiting by volunteers from the Kirk Sessions and Congregational Boards began.
On 14th September 1970 the church was closed for alterations and services were held in the village hall and the Sunday School met in the school. The organ was moved from its position in front of the chancel to its present position. Pews were removed and the chancel extended and elders pews added. The church re-opened on 29th November, 1970.
In 1973 the house in Lanark Road, home of Dr. James McClemont, was purchased as a new manse. Mr. Black, his wife and family moved into the new manse in May 1973. Mr. Black moved to Ness Bank Church, Inverness in August 1974. During the vacancy which followed the manse was re-wired and decorated.
1975-1984 - The Ordination and Induction of the Rev. Donald Pirie L.Th.m took place on 30th April, 1975. Praise Services, conducted by the Elders were introduced in 1976, which took place when the minister was conducting Communion services at Carstairs Junction. Owing to lack of support and leadership the Senior Section of the Boy's Brigade was suspended. During 1981 a solid fuel central heating system was installed in the Manse.
In May 1982 the church was re-wired. An oak centre lantern was gifted and installed at the time of the re-wiring. Pillars from St. Charles Hospital now Monteith House, were given to the church and they are still outside the main entrance. Mr. Pirie received a call from Lenzie Old Parish Church and left in February, 1984. During the vacancy the manse was re-decorated. Back to top
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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. Meetings for prayer; housegroups for Bible study; regular Evening Services; Joint Evening Services with Forth St Pauls, Carnwath, Carstairs and Carstairs Junction; a Banner Group; regular services at Monteith House; a Family Fellowship; a Summer Sunday School; a Youth Group for teenagers; and joint Summer Services were all introduced.In 1988 the church was re-decorated and in 1993 essential repairs to the Kirk Steeple were carried out. Mr. Crosthwaite moved to Larbert East in November, 1995. During the vacancy the manse was decorated and various improvements were carried out including the central heating.
1996-2004 - The Rev. J. Melvin Coogan, L.Th., was inducted to the linked charge in November 1996. In common with many congregations throughout Scotland, the congregation was declining and these were difficult times. Nevertheless, financial commitments were always met and several improvements were carried out to the fabric of the church and the manse. Mr. Coogan demitted on the grounds of ill-health in September, 2004.
A period of uncertainty followed. The congregations at Carstairs and Carstairs Junction were encouraged to apply to be considered for the appointment of an Interim Minister. Their application 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.
In January 2006 a vote at both congregations agreed on a Union of the congregations. The 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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At the time of writing, the new congregation is looking to the future. They are actively seeking to find a new minister to lead them forward. With one Kirk Session, one Congregational Board, one branch of the Guild, one Sunday School, etc, with new groups, the Way Ahead groups, all working towards growth and outreach, and seeking God's guidance through prayer, it is a very exciting time for the members of the church in Carstairs and Carstairs Junction. A new period in our history is beginning and perhaps one day in the future another chapter will be written about the life of God's people and His church in the United Parish of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction."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