The Guild Centenary Year 1986.
The Guild (then the Woman's Guild), nationally, celebrated its Centenary
in 1986 and our Woman's Guild marked the occasion by donating a stained glass
window, situated in the west aisle and dedicated on 13th September, shortly
before Rev. Paterson retired.
The Guild was (and still is) a strong organisation, contributing greatly to
both the spiritual strength and the general well-being of the church.
This picture, taken in 1988,
well illustrates the strength in numbers which the Guild possessed.
The Very Rev. Dr. John M. K. Paterson retires.
Early in this decade St Paul's had a change of minister. 
In
October 1987 the Very Rev. Dr. John Paterson retired after what one tribute
described as "a superb ministry".
In 1986, he was honoured by Aberdeen University by the granting of the honorary
degree of Doctor of Divinity. The accompanying press cutting shows Rev.
Paterson with one of his congregation, Iain Macritchie, who received his BD
degree at the same ceremony.
During his last year at St. Paul's, Rev. Paterson conducted an Ecumenical
Service, held in St. Paul's, on the occasion of the visit of one of his successors
as Moderator of the General Assembly, the Right Reverend Prof. Robert Craig.
This service, in which participants from Cairns C. of S., Milngavie United
Free, St. Andrew's Episcopal, St. Joseph's R.C. and Allander Evangelical churches
took part, well illustrated the good relations which existed, and continue,
between the various branches of the church in Milgavie.
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Farewell to Very Rev.
John M.K. Paterson |
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Rev. Fergus C. Buchanan
For
Rev. Paterson's successor, the Vacancy Committee turned to Ayrshire where
they were impressed by the powerful preaching of a young minister from Ardeer,
the Rev. Fergus Buchanan. He was inducted
to St Paul's in April 1988. 
He quickly established a rapport with the young people in the church, which
boded well for the future. He encouraged the introduction of Kirk Session
committees to cover such aspects of church life as Worship and Prayer, Christian
Education, Youth, Overseas Mission, and Communication.
The Kirk Session also agreed that the church should remain open for worship
during the summer months.
150th Anniversary of C. of S. in Milngavie
In 1991 a service of thanksgiving was held to mark 150 years of Christian witness in Milngavie. Two former ministers returned to St. Paul's to take part in the Anniversary Service - the Rev. Donald MacDonald and the Very Rev. Dr. John Paterson.
A New Pulpit Fall
To
mark the above anniversary, the St. Paul's Church Society presented the church
with a magnificent pulpit fall, an excellent description of which is found
here.
The Girls' Brigade
The Girls' Brigade continued as a large and flourishing organisation, active
in many aspects of church and community life. It continued to be highly
successful, regularly winning the Regional
Drill competition. The Brigade
band was strong enough to regularly participate in Milngavie Gala Week.
The company also was able to play its part in the 'Gift Day' at St. Paul's
in 1989, donating £400,
the proceeds from a Jumble Sale they organised.
However,
the highlight of this decade for the Girls' Brigade was the 100th Anniversary
of the foundation of the Girls' Brigade, marked by year-long celebrations
in 1992-93.
The Girls' Brigade originated in Ireland in 1893. In 1900, here in Scotland,
the Girls' Guildry (the counterpart of the Boys' Brigade) was formed and,
in 1902, the Girls' Life Brigade was formed in England. In 1965, the
three organisations came together to form the present Girls' Brigade, which
now exists in over 60 countries worldwide.
The celebrations in this area took several forms. There was the introduction
of new style uniforms, the
naming of 
a
train as 'The Girls' Brigade'
and the raising of money to support
the Children's Hospice. Some of the girls participated in a pantomime
staged by the region in 1993.
In St. Paul's, the most tangible legacy of that time of celebration is the
'Girls' Brigade' stained glass window, situated on the west wall of the nave.
This colourful
window incorporates elements from the badges of all three uniting organisations
together with the new motto of the Girls' Brigade: 'Seek,
Serve & Follow'.
Stewardship Campaign 1995.
The
decade ended with (another) Stewardship Campaign. These posters emphasised
to the congregation both our call to care for all, regardless of creed or
colour and just how extensive - and deserving of our support - is the caring
for others, physically and spiritually, of our church, both locally and much
further afield.
The campaign culminated in a Family Meal, as reported
in the press.
Miscellany
A selection of miscellaneous photos and press cuttings pertaining to the church and its organisations during this decade will (eventually!) appear here.
