Continuing my look at the laying of the Blantyre Church Hall Memorial stone on the last Saturday in November 1891. The ceremony continued that day as follows including the placement of a time capsule:
The choir next sang “The Church’s One Foundation,” and the Provincial Grand Chaplain offered up an impressive prayer. The usual glass jar was then placed in the cavity prepared for it, and while the choir rendered the Hundredth Psalm the stone, which like the rest of the building was of white freestone from Hartfield Quarry, Blantyre Muir, and was inscribed with the year of the erection, “1891,” was lowered into position and duly laid in accordance with the rules of Masonry by the P.G.M. and his office-bearers.
This was followed by three lusty cheers, and while the choir sang “How Beautiful upon the Mountains” the corn, wine and oil were poured on to the stone, and the band played the Masons’ Anthem. The contents of the jar were as follows:— “Hamilton Advertiser,” “Hamilton Herald,” “London Weekly Times,” “Scotsman,” “Scottish Leader,” “Glasgow Herald,” “Glasgow Weekly Mail,” “Evening Citizen,” “Evening Times,” “Evening News,” coins of realm, bazaar prospectus, programme of Masonic ceremony, membership card of Blantyre Social Improvement Union, names of members of hall committee, notes of Blantyre Parish in 1891, A.D.
Bro. CLARK FORREST then said—Ladies and gentlemen,—There is a diversity of opinion as to the name Blantyre, and whether the impression of last century that the meaning was a “warm retreat,” or the opinion of the late minister of the parish that it signified “the field of holy men,” should prevail it is impossible for me to say, but I am satisfied that as the whole nature of the country has changed, and what was at one time a most beautiful and entirely rural district is now the centre of busy industry, “the field of the holy men” is the most appropriate description in our day, and the more especially as we have amongst us so many who labour in season and out of season for the welfare and good of the general community. (Cheers.)
About the year 1600 the first Lord Blantyre acquired, by purchase, the barony of that name, and his successors have always taken a deep interest in our welfare. For centuries it had been held by another noble family, of whom Randolph, Earl of Moray, whose exploits at Bannockburn and elsewhere are recorded in Scottish history, was not the least distinguished member. (Cheers.)
Before the time that John Knox, the reformer, was unfortunately allowed to execute his sweet will on the beautiful ecclesiastical buildings and abbeys of Scotland, the Priory of Blantyre was the place of worship within the parish, and the village of Blantyre was then situated quite close to it, on the banks of the Clyde and Calder.
The site of the Established Church has now, for a very long period, been at Kirkton, and within a few yards of the Blantyre Parish Church Halls, the memorial stone of which I have to-day had the honour and privilege of laying with masonic honours.”
To be continued shortly in a final article. The completed Parish Church Halls are pictured.
