New Govan



POINTS OF INTEREST

Vestibule: Memorial Plaque to Rev. Thomas Notman

West Wall: (at rear of Church)

7 War Memorial Plaques. Over 200 names recorded in the two World Wars. Several

Memorials were damaged beyond repair during the unions.

East Wall: (facing you on entry)

Obsolete organ pipes. Refurbished Rose Window. Memorial plaque Rev. Robert Howie M.A.,D.D., first minister of St. Mary’s.

South Wall: (right hand on entry)

Memorial plaque Rev. Robert Easton M.A. LL.B., 34 years minister of St. Mary’s (New Govan Parish Church).

North Wall: (left hand on entry)

Modern design painted glass windows depicting several aspects of note in Govan also the “Magnificent Seven” Churches, by local artist, Danny O’Neil.

Displayed

from balcony: Flags of one time Youth Organisations

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GOVAN AND LINTHOUSE PARISH CHURCH

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“THE CHURCH AT THE CROSS”

Thank you for your interest in Govan and Linthouse Parish Church. Those who seek more information of a general nature can visit the “Glasgow Section” of the Mitchell Library where a book entitled “The History of Govan” by T.C.F. Brotchie is available.

At the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh in 1843, the Free Church broke away from the Established Church, and this “Disruption” was the direct cause of the many “Free” Churches coming into existence.

The present Govan and Linthouse Parish Church building is in the Gothic Architectural style of Robert Baldie and was built in 1873. The building was designated “Free St. Mary’s Church, Govan”.

The bell, housed in its ‘stubby’ bell tower, originally topped with a spire, was damaged in a World War Two bombing raid and was not replaced. It was presented to Free St. Mary’s Church, Govan by John Stephen Esq. Shipbuilder A.D. 1873.

During the 1840’s, open air Gospel meetings with a Covenanting flavour were taking place in and around Govan and the founder members of St. Mary’s Free Church held such services both in the open and in a small hall in Harmony Row, whilst the building of the present Church was taking place until it opened in 1873.

The first minister was the Rev. Robert Howie M.A.,D.D. who left after 31 years and died in Stirling on 4th March 1918. His inspired and fiery rhetoric from the pulpit earned him the affectionate nickname of “Brimstone Bob”.

He was followed by the Rev. Andrew Allan in 1904 who left after a short stay of 4 years to be succeeded by the Rev. James Barr in 1908 who intermingled left wing politics with his sermons to the obvious delight of the congregation! He preached to a full Church which at that time had a capacity of over 1,200. On occasions tip-up seats had to be placed at the highest positions of the gallery. He demitted in 1920 and became the Labour M.P. for Motherwell.

The Rev. James Padkin became minister in 1920. He was called to Saltcoats in 1928. From 1928 until 1936 the Rev. James Thomson was the minister in charge and during this period led the congregation of St. Mary’s United Free Church to the “Union” in 1929 to become St. Mary’s Church of Scotland in September of that year.

The Rev. Thomas Notman was called from Cowcaddens, Glasgow and became minister of St. Mary’s in 1936. His capacity as an organiser, enthusiasm and dedication was an inspiration to the congregation during World War Two. He went to Appleby in 1943 and died about 9 months later.

The next minister was the Rev. John E. Brown B.D. He had been an assistant minister in St. Mary’s and was recalled from St. Cuthberts in Dunoon. In 1954 he was called to St. Brycedale in Kirkcaldy. He is the father of Gordon Brown, until recently Prime Minister.

The Rev. Robert Easton M.A.,LL.B. was called from Cambuslang in 1954. He retired in October 1988 after over 34 years of devoted ministry and pastoral service in Govan. During this period the first union took place with Fairfield Church of Scotland in 1975 and the Church became St. Mary’s Fairfield. The second union took place in April 1982 when Govan Trinity joined and it became New Govan Parish Church. The Rev. Robert Easton died on 23rd November, 1992.

New Govan Parish Church, as it was called then, embodied St. Mary’s, Fairfield, Dean Park, St. Kieran’s, Copland Road, St Columba and the “Free Church of Scotland”, Summertown Road (the original Free Church in Govan).

On 20th June, 1989 the Rev. John Patrick Wright B.D. was inducted to the charge having been minister of Kildalton and Oa in Islay and Duncansburgh in Fort William. He retired due to ill health in 2000.

In October 2001 the Rev. Robert “Robbie” McFarlane was inducted to the charge. During his ministry Robbie established a more contemporary style of worship involving both the young and old in a worship group. He also established links with community groups most successfully the asylum seekers. In August 2005 he was called to the charge of St. Marks Oldhall in Paisley.

After he left there were a number of locum ministers until in May 2008 after the union of New Govan Church, Govan Old Parish Church and Linthouse St. Kenneths Church the Rev. Dr. Moyna McGlynn was called to this parish which is now the largest in Scotland.

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