Continuing a look at the Jubilee of the former Anderson Church on Stonefield Road. In 1893, then called the Free Church, Rev Campbell looked back on 50 years of the church since the ‘disruption’ and was recounting the history.
Continuing on from an article yesterday, “After a short vacancy after 1860, the Rev. Robert Macdonald was ordained. The congregation made considerable progress over the years. In January 1871, tragedy struck when the church caught fire one Sabbath, shortly after the congregation had been dismissed. By four o’clock that afternoon, the building was totally destroyed.
Steps were immediately taken to replace it with another. It is interesting to note that when the congregation was asked for contributions toward the new building fund, the village portion headed the list.
At that time, the village was a hive of industry—the spinning mill, the dye works, and the weaving factory were all in full operation. Now, the two former are closed. Back then, the village was the stronghold of the congregation. Today (1893), only a very few members remain from it.“
“The present church was opened on 6th October 1872.“
Mr Macdonald was a man of large heart and generous spirit. He faithfully and diligently accomplished his life’s work in Blantyre. He passed away at Millport on 20th October 1881, after a ministry of twenty years.
Rev Campbell continued, “With regard to my own ministry, there is nothing special to record. It may be mentioned, as showing the flux that is continually going on in the congregation, that of the 170 who were members when I was ordained nearly 11 years ago, only 50 are now on the Communion roll. The contributions since 1843 have been as follows; Building fund £2,465 17s 16.5d, Sustenation fund £4,224 13s 9d, Congregational fund £3,935 13s 8.5d, Mission Schemes fund £1,281 9s 8d, total for all purposes £11,907 15s.
We have now glanced back at the past, what about the future? Looking back, we may well thank God and take courage. We are not to make our Jubilee a goal, but a fresh starting point. Let us gather up the lessons of the past so that we may be better fitted for doing the Lord’s work in future. The purpose for which the Church of Christ exists is two-fold: first, to preserve the saving truth of God for the spiritual benefit of its own members; and second, to spread the truth for the spiritual benefit of the world.
Here, where we live, much lies to our hand. Is there not much ungodliness meeting your eye and saluting your ear every day—so much ignorance of God and the way of life?
On this, a new starting point in our congregational history, who, I ask, is willing to consecrate himself in service unto the Lord? Who is willing? It must be a voluntary thing; the Lord will accept no reluctant toil.
Who will consecrate his service, lay self and substance on the altar of Jehovah?
Let us one and all awake to the conviction of what we owe to those on whose labours we have entered, what we owe to God, what we owe to those around us. And the promise will, I doubt not, be fulfilled in us as a congregation:
“I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing: I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.”
The Rev. Mr Pearson, in a very earnest and thoughtful address, spoke of the necessity of personal religion. At the close, he made an appeal to the young to give themselves to Christ, to begin at once the Christian life. The Rev. Mr Buchan spoke of the marks of a Disruption Church. The first of these, he stated, was liberality. Under this heading, he referred to the great generosity which characterised the Church in 1843, and which had been a marked feature of the Free Church throughout her history.
Second, he spoke of harmony—how brotherly love, sympathy, and mutual helpfulness were other distinguishing traits.
Third, he addressed the topic of work. He counselled the members to throw themselves heartily into the work of the congregation.
The last speaker was the Rev. D. M’Ewan Morgan, who spoke on the need for all churches to work together. He presented figures showing the vast amount of work still required before the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ.
The speeches were of a very high order and were much appreciated. During the evening, the choir, under Mr Gavin Lawson, rendered a number of appropriate pieces. The general opinion seemed to be that the choir once again excelled themselves.
Votes of thanks, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Hugh and Rev. Mr Burleigh, brought a very successful soirée to a close.
The church saw its final days in 1978 when it burned down completely.
