Continuing a look at the ceremony to lay the foundation stone at Blantyre Old Parish Church Halls, on the last Saturday in November 1891. A fantastic transcribe of events exists in local newspapers.
From the parapet of the retaining wall of the old churchyard, the enthusiastic and well-known amateur photographer, Mr Hendrie, a native of Blantyre, took several photographs of the proceedings. We are informed that he exposed six plates at different stages of the ceremony, and that, while the elements for successful photography could not be considered at all favourable owing to the high wind keeping the camera in constant motion and the exceedingly weak light so late in the day at this time of the year, he hopes to secure reasonable results.
I’ve never seen those photographs and suspect that the conditions were NOT favourable to produce images or that his negatives ended up being too blurry. However, there is a good photo of the Church hall taken few years later showing the new building still in good condition, as attached.
The speeches continued, “To the Rev. Mr Turnbull is due the credit of having been the originator of the scheme—(cheers)—and he tells me that he has been very successful in getting donations of money, and also many promises of support for the grand bazaar, which is shortly to take place. (Renewed cheers.) I take this opportunity of saying how pleased the masonic body are to have been able to inscribe upon their roll the name of another of the ministers of the Church of our fathers, and to know that he has already discharged a duty to the craft by acting as their chaplain upon this interesting occasion. (Cheers.)”
“It must be evident to every one that there is an urgent necessity for a building such as this. We must advance with the times. If any one doubts this let him think for a moment of the following figures:—The valuation of the parish in 1754 was £1847 5s 10d Scots money, equal to £153 18s 9d sterling. The valuation now is £41,150 sterling. The increase in the annual rental of the parish since 1754 is, to be exact, £40,996 1s 3d. At twenty years’ purchase it will represent a capital sum of about £820,000. Some of my friends would like to call this unearned increment. (Laughter and cheers.)”
“The population in 1754 was about 500; 100 years ago, after the cotton mills were started. 1700; in 1871, 3,472; in 1881, 9,760; in 1891, 11,351. Before 1871 the people had to look for their living to the cotton mills or mining of ironstone. Now we have many industries, but in particular coal mining on a very large scale. (Cheers.)”
“The impression was general five or ten years ago that Blantyre was done—was overbuilt—and property in consequence became much depreciated in value. But a change for the better has come over us, and there is scarcely to be found an empty house in the whole district—many are overcrowded, and the population is rapidly increasing. (Cheers.) That population is coming from the four corners of the globe, and to supply their varied spiritual wants it has been found necessary to have a large increase in the number of churches. There are now two Established, two Free, one United Presbyterian, one Evangelical Union, one Roman Catholic (which, I understand, is the best filled of any), a Salvation Army Hall, a Gospel Hall, an Ebenezer Hall, and many others. Verily, we are well churched!”
“Some people say that strong drink is a fearful curse in Blantyre. When I remind you that in our midst there are three aerated water manufacturers, and that one of them sends out every day eighteen van loads of teetotal drink drawn by thirty horses, we must, I think, take the strong drink statement with a grain of salt. (Laughter.) Before I close I want to ask you what harm has Blantyre done?—what harm have you done?—that the special express trains on the Caledonian Railway between East Kilbride and Hamilton should run past you without calling. What harm has East Kilbride done that the members of its Masonic Lodge are not allowed to come here by rail? Why don’t you rise in your strength and see to it? (Cheers.)
Mr James Jackson then said—Following the interesting ceremony we have just witnessed an important duty now devolves upon us, and that is to tender to Colonel Clark Forrest our hearty thanks for coming here to-day in his office as Provincial Grand Master Mason of the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire and placing in position the foundation stone of our new halls with all the skill and grace of one having an intimate knowledge of the craft of which he is the worthy head. (Cheers.) “
“Colonel Forrest has many claims on our gratitude, and his presence here to-day is a further testimony, if that were needed, of the warm-hearted interest he is ever taking in all that concerns the welfare of this large and increasing community. It is only fitting that we should express our high sense of the generosity and never-failing courtesy which characterize all the services he renders to us. (Cheers.) Looking round on this great gathering and viewing the manifestations of enthusiasm and interest in this advanced stage of the building operations, we feel assured the address we have listened to from Colonel Forrest cannot fail to inspire the promoters of this work with new zeal and bring a sense of satisfaction to those who, by subscription and otherwise, are seeking to aid an excellent cause. I have, therefore, to ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to join in according to Colonel Forrest, and the office-bearers who have so ably assisted him, our heartfelt thanks for the part they have so well performed, and also to the members of the various orders, our thanks for their presence in such numbers, which has added greatly to the interest in the day’s proceedings. (Loud cheers.)
The ceremony was closed with cheers and the rendering by the choir and band of “Rule Britannia.” Afterwards the visiting lodges were served with refreshments in Mr Struthers’ Hall.
