The Sixth Decade (1956-1965)

The Sixth Decade of St. Paul’s church began with the jubilee year of the building. By this time, the leadership and the members of the congregation were ready to move forward in both spiritual and physical aspects of church life. The arrival of an enthusiastic, sensitive and visionary new minister in the person of the Rev. John T. Peat gave that much needed impetus to St. Paul’s. The hope of a new beginning was in the air.

However, the Jubilee celebrations were held during the vacancy, on the 15th January 1956. The preacher was the much loved and respected Very Rev. Alexander MacDonald.

Rev. John Tennant Peat, M.A.  Minister 1956 - 1969

The Rev. John T. Peat was described by a friend and colleague as "a six o'clock man". He was 'straight up and down', his commitment was real and his honesty complete.

He was brought up in The Barony, in Glasgow under the profoundly influential ministry of Dr. John White. Early in his life he showed good leadership skills, so initially he led the Boys' Brigade, then by the age of 20 he was the Superintendent of the Sunday School, and very soon he was ordained as an elder too! Until 1941 he followed a career in commerce and the railway. During the war he served with the Royal Navy, was commissioned and commanded one of the first Normandy landing crafts on D-Day, and later on in the Far East! He took with him the marks of military discipline to the end. The years spent in war service gave him a great understanding of people and an appreciation of what is involved in living a Christian life amidst all the conflicting claims of the world.

After the war he graduated in Arts at Glasgow University and concluded his theological training at Trinity College. He was ordained in 1950 and inducted to the charge of Lawson Memorial Church, Selkirk. Six years later he was elected and inducted as minister of St. Paul's Parish Church, Milngavie, where he faithfully served his Lord and parish for thirteen years.

His ministry at St. Paul's was a vigorous and fruitful one. By his leadership skills he not only built up the church physically, but also spiritually. The membership increased, dedication to serve was boosted, facilities improved, fresh organisations were formed and the spiritual life of the congregation became deeper and wider. He is remembered by many as a good pastor, a telling preacher, a kindly man. His ministry was characterised by hard work and good order; unabating zeal for the cause; notable achievements of restoration and advance; and a disciplined and untiring pastoral concern.

John Peat was steeped in the Bible and in great Scottish literature, especially the writings of Sir Walter Scott. He did not preach anything which he did not know to be true in his own heart and which he did not live out. He also had a literary bent and compiled first the story of Milngavie and St. Paul's up to 1966 under the title: Milngavie and Its Parish Church, a much valued source of information for us today; and later the history of his much loved home church, The Barony. After his death a collection of his sermons was also published in his honour, entitled Something to Declare.

In 1969 he was translated to the linked charges of Ayton & Bornmouth.

His wisdom and sincerity; the support and encouragement which he offered to many; his conscientious and diligent ministry were much appreciated and left a profound mark in many a live. The charges where he served all carry a tangible tribute to his fine ecclesiastical taste and good churchmanship.

'Jubilee Fund' and Jubilee Scheme

In preparation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the opening of our present church, a Jubilee Fund, set up by the Woman's Guild, gathered some £500 by 1956. Now a Jubilee Scheme was launched with a target of £8,000 to be raised in three years and to be used to carry out necessary repairs to the church building and to provide new hall accommodation.
The scheme was completed in two stages. First, in the summer of 1957, the church building was repaired, cleaned, the organ console resited and carpets and cushions fitted throughout. Second, the Jubilee Hall, complete with kitchen and toilet premises, was erected adjoining the church and dedicated in January 1961. The special service was conducted by the Rev. James McCardel D.D. The target sum eventually had to be nearly £10,000, and it was reached by the generous direct giving of the congregation, and considerably topped up by the “Auld Mulguy Fair” held in 1959 (opened by Jimmy Logan).

Thoughtful anonymous gifts helped to complete the 'modernising' of the building - like the cross in gilded oak in the apse, a specially made and embroidered white linen cloth for the Communion Table, and an exquisitely-worked blue pulpit fall, with matching Bible markers.

The Fellowship is enriched

Under the leadership of Rev. Peat, he fellowship of the congregation became richer with the formation of various organisations, like the Men's Association (1956), Young Wives' and Mothers' Fellowship (1957), Girls' Brigade (at that time Girls' Guildry) (1960)and the Youth Club (1961). The spiritual depth of the congregation was also increased by the initiation of Group Bible Study and the Mission of Friendship session. (Sadly the planned mid week service once a month for the benefit of Sunday workers and the institution of the drama group (St. Paul's Players) did not last too long.)

Parish Outreach & Christian Stewardship Campaign

Inspired by the minister, the outreach to the parish became more effective. In the winter of 1959-60 a parish mission was held with door-to-door visitation, followed by a Christian Stewardship Campaign in March 1960, with the tangible result of an increase of regular week-by-week giving amounting to more than 70%!
In October 1960 a united service was held to commemorate the fourth centenary of the Scottish Reformation.
A meaningful result of these activities was the Kirk Session’s decision to celebrate Holy Communion more frequently, quarterly a year, with additional services at Christmas and Easter, rather than just half-yearly.

Further Developments

In 1961 three developments brought improved changes to the life of the church:

•  In an attempt to make the church more family friendly the Sunday School sessions were brought to forenoon from afternoon.
•  The quarterly news sheet became the monthly church magazine, renamed "St. Paul's News."
•  During the week the church was kept open for meditation and prayer for those who so desired.

In 1962 the present manse was purchased and modernised, also bringing some financial benefits to the church. Two pedestal flower stands in wrought iron were also donated to the church. A generous anonymous donation modernised the illumination of the church and in 1963 six silver-plated Communion Patens were gifted to the congregation by Mr. John M. Breadie. Here we should also mention the Guild's generous gift of a second Collection Plate that the ladies offered as their contribution to the Jubilee Celebration in 1956.

The New Hall

When the new Milngavie Town Hall was built, the congregation had to decide the future of the old church hall. Although it was an emotionally hard decision to dispose of the Auld Kirk building, it proved to be a wise move! In 1960, the decision to erect a new hall beside the church was taken. The New Halls Fund was launched in 1962. With the aid of various grants the total cost of £17,000 was met by November 1966. The hall could seat about 400; it had a spacious stage and dressing rooms, with a porch connecting to the church. The work began in April 1963 and the hall was dedicated on the 3rd of April 1964 by the Very Rev. A. C. Craig, M.C., D.D. (It appears that mortar dried quicker and stuck better in those days.)

Stewardship Campaign 1965

The increase of the congregation's membership called for an initiative to help each member reach his or her full potential in Christian service. To this end, a well organised, full-scale Stewardship Campaign was held in the spring of 1965.

The endeavour of the Stewardship Campaign was to call people back to the reality and basics of humanity under God's authority. As Rev. Peat put it in his introductory letter: "It reminds us in a clear and definite manner that we are "stewards" of the lives God has given us: that He has entrusted us, while we are here, with the management of our days and hours, of our gifts of mind and heart and hand, and of everything we "possess." And, having reminded us, Stewardship challenges us to re-organise our lives to accord with this fundamental principle of our very being."

Thus the campaign offered a new opportunity for self-fulfilment, and a richer experience of usefulness and fellowship in the service of God.

The preparations were detailed and very committed; they went on for almost two years!! Some two hundred were involved in the campaign that culminated in a Family Meal. Thorough instructions and guidelines were given to all 'hostesses' and visitors on how to conduct themselves and engage with the families. The outreach was systematic and sensitive. The 'hostesses' and visitors offered information, on congregational life and organisations, and invited and challenged families to a more committed Christian life. The Family Meal at Crossmyloof Ice Rink was attended by some 750 people (truly a church family)! A month later, on the 30th May 1965, a Dedication Service was held at the church. The fruits were increased attendances and giving at public worship, many additional members for organisations and almost 500 promises to take part in some form of 'Christian action.' It was an occasion to bond the congregation together and to move her forward as a unified body of Christ. This was due to the untiring dedication of the two hundred volunteers and their leaders, Rev. Peat, John B. Alexander, Session Clerk, and last but by no means least, the Stewardship Committee's Chairman, Archie G. McLaren.

A Family-friendly Church

Much thought was given to making the church family-friendly. A Nursery club began in 1965 and a Crèche, during the morning service, operated on a regular basis. A "Pathfinders" scheme was introduced to encourage boys and girls to attend church worship. A Youth Council co-ordinated the work of the various youth organisations and encouraged the young people to participate more fully in the life of the church and a "Junior Kirk Session" was also formed!

In Conclusion:

This sixth decade of our church at her present location was indeed rich in enthusiasm, activity, physical and spiritual growth and expansion. Many of the fruits we enjoy today were mere seeds sown at that time.

May God's name be honoured for the growth by which He blessed the hard work and committed faith of our forerunners. May He grant us grace and confidence of faith today to follow in their footsteps with similar zeal.