On Thursday 28th September 1893, a three day bazaar opened in the Liberal Halls, Hamilton with the intention of clearing the remaining £700 debt following the construction of the Burleigh Church in Blantyre.
Then known as the Blantyre East Free Church, it had been built the previous year, opening in December 1892, but overspending, money was still owed for the construction work. The new minister, Rev John Burleigh presided over the bazaar which went well. As goods were sold, the minister was delighted to see goods replaced just as fast, ready to be sold to the next visitor. The target sum was within grasp.
Referring to the construction work and their journey to building a church in Stonefield, it was said, this was all an uphill battle. Mr Burleigh aimed to make a difference in Blantyre. At the bazaar, he referred to his own wife, who had recently died prematurely at a young age and made the vow that no sick poor person in his congregation would ever see the end without a nurse or doctor. This he vowed in memory of his wife.
Provost Wylie had opened the bazaar and made a speech at that time stating he had visited the new Church and been impressed with its construction, seeing clearly £2,000 had been well spent. He did not think the decoration had gone ‘over the top’ in any way inside or outside and was of modest appearance. He also took time to comment on how Blantyre’s Main thoroughfare had changed, and that only 20 years ago, it would all have been fields as far as the eye could see. It was with this large expansion in population, that saw the need for the new church. He recognised the congregation was comprised of many miners and saw it fitting that the church would bring light back into their lives, which were spent so much in darkness.
The stalls were beautifully decorated, adorned with things that could be sold and were also decorative. The reporter at the time also added in the newspaper, that the visitors were guided around and welcomed by “attractive saleswomen”.
A musical entertainment took place in the evening and as the money was counted that first day, they found over £89 had been raised, which was increased to £126 by end of Day 2. A third day saw further sales.
AI imagines what the scene may have looked like.
