The Third Decade (1926-1935)

The Third Decade in the life of the congregation brought about much change. The new minister was greatly supported by dedicated office bearers in these changing times. The restored Auld Kirk now functioned as a very useful Church Hall. The different organisations made good use of it. The Sunday School had a good membership (147 on the roll in early 1929) and was busy with activities as before. Badminton became a new and popular pastime. The Guild continued to support the Church's ministry both nationally and worldwide. The ladies took special care to make the life of the Parish church as homely and satisfactory as possible. The Offering Plate that is still in use was their gift on Easter 1926. The outreach to the young people gained more emphasis. The congregation expressed her gratitude for the faithful service of her previous minister by a beautiful stained glass window in the Apse. The Semi-Jubilee of the church building (1931 - for time was flying by fast in those days too), the congregation celebrated by installing electricity in the church. The very same year the stained glass windows in the Apse became complete, by honouring the dedicated service of Dr. Peter Francis Robertson in the community and especially in the church. The major change in the life of the church, not only for the Parish Church, but for the majority of the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland was the Union of 1929. The Union was carried out very amicably and smoothly to the delight of all the churches involved. This occasion prompted the change of the name to St. Paul's and also the alteration of the Parish Boundaries. Under a new name and strengthened by the gained fellowship of the union, the congregation carried on loyally serving Christ in Milngavie.

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'Faithful Members'

Col. Robert Kyle		Mr. Wm. Henry Taylor
Mr. Robert Paton		Jeanie, Margaret & Agnes B. Watt

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Memorabilia - 1

Remembrance Day 1927 - Order of Service

The Armistice Day Service in 1927 appears to have also been the 'Kirking of the Town Council' service. (Does anyone have information as to whether this was a 'coincidence' or was the regular pattern for Milngavie?)

Certificate of Proclamation - 1933

This 'Certificate of Proclamation' refers to the calling or proclamation of 'Banns' in church as a legal requirement before a marriage in church. (From 1878, however, publication of notice of intended marriage on a registrar's notice board became an alternative.) Originally, 'Banns' were called on three Sundays but, obviously, by 1933, only one such proclamation was required. Some reading this will recall the calling of their 'Banns' in church but the practise ceased in 1978, when all notices of intended marriage had to be lodged at the registrar's office.

'Sunday School' Birthday Cards

When viewed enlarged, you will see that these cards refer to children of 1 or 2 years of age - was 'crèche' too foreign a term in those days?

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Memorial Window - Rev. John Edgar

Unveiled:  13 May 1928

Inscription:  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness. Erected by the congregation in loving memory of John Edgar M.A., minister of this parish 1898-1925

Image:  Sermon on the Mount

Designed and Executed by:  William Meikle & Son, Glasgow

(The PDF files which reproduce the Order of Service (above left) and 'Herald' article (bottom left) describing the unveiling and dedication of the window, also contain much valuable information concerning Rev. Edgar's life history.)

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1929 - Church Reunion!

Excerpts from the Kirk Session Minutes of 3rd March 1929

"A meeting of Kirk Session was held in the Session Room on Sunday the 3rd March 1929.

Sederunt: Rev. Duncan McCorkindale B.D. Moderator, Mr. Chesters, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Chapman, Col. Kyle, Mr. Gardner. Mr. Gilchrist, Mr. Gray, Mr. Barr, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Anderson, Mr. McGregor, Mr. Wood, Robert Paton Session Clerk.

The meeting was duly constituted with prayer. The Moderator intimated receipt of a letter from the Rev. W. M. L. Goldie, Presbytery Clerk, dated 9th February 1929, confirming the decision of the Dumbarton Presbytery to defer consideration of the Assembly Overtures on Church Union until the next meeting of Presbytery on the 26th March, and that Kirk Sessions do consult their respective Congregations, and report not later than the 20th March 1929. In accordance with a Resolution of the Kirk Session and Managers dated 22nd January 1929 a Congregational Social Meeting was held in the Church Hall on Friday, 1st March, when a good audience responded to the call. Inter alia (among other things) the question of Church Union was introduced by the Moderator, who warmly commended its adoption. The Rev. James Carswell B.D., minister of Temple Parish Church, and Mr. Chesters, a member of the Kirk Session also spoke in its favour. Thereafter Colonel Kyle, a member of Kirk Session submitted the following Resolution: "That this meeting of the Congregation of Milngavie Parish Church resolves to adopt The Basis and Plan of Union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland as drawn up and approved by the General Assemblies of these Churches." Colonel Kyle directed the attention of the meeting to a brief, but interesting historic sketch of the general position of the Church of Scotland. Mr. John Strathdee, a member of the congregation seconded the Resolution. The Moderator then called for a Resolution in opposition to Church Union. Receiving no response, he put the Resolution to the meeting, when it was unanimously agreed to.

The Moderator now proceeded to put the same Resolution to the Kirk Session. Mr. Chesters proposed that it be adopted. Mr. McGregor seconded. Agreed unanimously.

The Moderator requested the consent of the Kirk Session to arrange with Rev. John Coutts M.A. minister of Milngavie and Baldernock U.F. Church regarding joint Evening Services during holiday season. Agreed.

The meeting was closed with the Benediction.

Duncan McCorkindale, Moderator
Robert Paton, Session Clerk "

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1929 - a Change of Name

Excerpts from Kirk Session Minutes of 9th September 1929

A Joint meeting of Kirk Session and Managers was held in the Session Room on the 9th September 1929.
Sederunt: Rev. Duncan McCorkindale B.D. Moderator, R. Paton Session Clerk, Mr. McKenzie Treasurer, Mr. Barr, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Scrymgeour, Mr. A. Anderson, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. W. Anderson.
Apologies were received from Col. Kyle, Mr. Wood, Mr. Gray and Mr. R. Gilchrist.
The meeting was duly constituted.
The minutes of last meeting were read. Mr. A. Anderson moved their adoption and Mr. Scrymgeour seconded. Agreed.
The Moderator explained that the view of the Union of the Established Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland to be consummated in October 1929. The Kirk Sessions and Managers are enjoined to submit one or more names to the Presbytery. So that they may select and adopt the particular name by which, from henceforth our Church would be designated. St. John, St. Ninian and St. Columba were suggested. Mr. Scrymgeour moved that St. Andrews be adopted. Mr. Anderson seconded. The Session Clerk proposed St. Paul's. Mr. Gardner seconded. It was agreed to submit St. Andrews and St. Paul's to the Presbytery.
The meeting was closed with the Benediction.

Duncan McCorkindale, Moderator
Robert Paton, Session Clerk

Excerpts from Kirk Session Minutes of 17th September 1929

At Milngavie, within the Milngavie and Baldernock United Free Church, 17th September 1929, on which day the joint Kirk Sessions of Cairns, Parish and Milngavie and Baldernock met and was constituted.
Sederunt: Rev. J. W. Coutts M.A. Moderator, Rev. Robert Harvey M.A. and Rev. Duncan McCorkindale B.D.

Parish	Cairns	Milngavie & Baldernock
Col. Kyle	A. Gray	I. Wylie
R. Hunter	M. Weir	D. McMillan
W. Gilchrist	R. Watt	J. A. Wilson
J. Hamilton	J. L. Loch-head	C. Penny
P. McGregor	J. I. Mowat	R. Ramsey
W. Anderson	Forrester Wilson	H. R. Buchanan
	Adam Wilson	N. MacLean
	R. Taylor	S. Thomson
	Ex Provost Tait	A. MacMillan
	J. L. Douglas	A. S. Morton
	W. R. Gardner
	J. I. Ogilvie

Apologies from Mr. Chesters, Mr. Wood, Mr. Croockshank, Mr. Paton, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Fraser, and Mr. Sellan.
Mr. A. S. Morton was appointed Clerk.
The Moderator explained that the joint meeting had been called to confer on several questions arising in connection with the impending Union. As: Names of the three Churches involved; Of the form the Union Celebrations should take on Union Sabbath. Also how to follow up and impress Milngavie that the Union is accomplished.
Mr. McCorkindale intimated that his Session had suggested "St. Paul's" which had been submitted to the Presbytery. Mr. Harvey reported no change to the name Cairns. Mr. Coutts reported his Kirk Session still undecided.
It was agreed that at 11.30 all the Congregations met as usual in their respective Churches, under their own minister, and that a Spirit of Thankfulness should pervade our services.
That a Children's United Service be held in Milngavie and Baldernock U.F. Church at 10.15 a.m. That Holy Communion be dispensed in the Parish Church at 3 p.m. and that a Young People's Service be conducted in the Cairns U.F. Church at 6.30 p.m.
It was remitted to a Committee with power, consisting of the Minister and Session Clerk of each Church, and one member of Kirk Session from each church. Ex Provost Tait, Col. Kyle and Mr. Wylie were appointed as representing their respective Kirk Sessions to arrange details. Mr. Coutts as Convener.
Mr. Harvey proposed that all funds from the joint Services of that day be devoted to the Church of Scotland Mission Fund, both Foreign and Home Missions. Agreed.
Mr. Buchanan suggested Press and other intimations of the Services.
Mr. D. MacMillan proposed that all expenses of the joint Communion Services be defrayed by a private fund. (Agreed.) It was decided after discussion that the whole of Milngavie should be divided into three approximately equal parts and visited by the Ministers, the Ministers being empowered to secure help from the Elders of any of the Churches according to their districts.
The meeting was closed with prayer.

Duncan McCorkindale, Moderator

Memorial Window - Dr.P.F.Robertson

Unveiled:  4 October 1931

Inscription:  Sallibritas et Industria
To the Glory of God and in Memory of
Dr Peter France Robertson VD
and his wife Jessie Blackwood 1931

Image:  Healing of the Boy with a Demon
(Matthew 17:14-23)

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The Three Memorial Windows in the Apse

With the installation of the window in memory of Dr. Robertson & his wife, the adornment of the apse was now complete.

“The Sanctuary being veiled with a hallowed peace.”

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Memorabilia - 2

	Sunday Evening Lectures 1930-31
	Woman's Guild Syllabus 1934-35
	Semi-Jubilee of King George V