The Parish of Inchinnan is located in
Renfrewshire and has been a centre of Christian Worship for over 1400
years. The earliest settlement was in 597 A.D. by St. Conval, a disciple
of St. Kentigern (also known as St. Mungo). The first structure would be
roughly constructed of mud and wattles.
Named St. Conval’s the
first church situated at the bridge at the Black Cart River was built
about 1100, some 20 years before Glasgow Cathedral and 60 years before
Paisley Abbey.
The lands of Inchinnan and the church were gifted
by David 1 to the Knights Templar in the 12th Century. In 1560 patronage
of the Church passed to the Lennoxes, then to the Duke of Montrose, then
finally to the Campbells of Blythswood in 1737.
ALL HALLOWS
CHURCH
In 1828 the mediaeval building was in a dangerous condition
and a new church of the period was erected by Major Archibald Campbell.
At the end of the 19th Century Archibald, the first Baron Blythswood,
financed the building of a new church.
This was built around the
existing one so that services could continue during construction. The
building was consecrated on 6th June 1904, being dedicated to All
Hallows. The construction of the new airport for Glasgow at Abbotsinch
resulted in the demolition of All Hallows Church. The closing service
was held on 20th June 1965. Worship continued in the Church hall nearby
till June 1968.
THE PRESENT CHURCH
The foundation stone of the
present church was laid on 19th November 1966 and was dedicated on 6th
June 1968. The architects were Miller and Black, who incorporated as
much as possible of All Hallows in the new building. The original flat
roofs of the new building were replaced by pitched roofs from 1990
onwards.
In the entrance vestibule is a six or seven ton memorial
slab of red granite commemorating the Blythswood family, depicting the
crests of the family of 1904. The Blythswood family were the
heritors in the district and as such were responsible for appointing and
paying the minister and the school master, as well as for maintaining
the church, the manse and schoolhouse.
At the heart of the Church lies the
sanctuary, a beautiful area in which to worship, with its natural brick
walls, stained glass windows and an abundance of daylight. The
five-panel window, depicting dawn and light, incorporates the arms of
the Blythswood and Carrington families. The first Lady Blythswood was a
Carrington.
The Choir area window was part of a 3-light window,
erected by Maj. Gen. Sir
Barrington Bulkeley Douglas Campbell, 3rd Lord Blythswood and his
family in memory of his wife, mildred, who died shortly after his return
from the South African campaign. The glass in the side panels was
not part of the otininal window.
There are five stained glass
windows in the west wall. Four of the original nine did not survive.
Three have Douglas/Campbell memorials (captions can be seen in the
images below); the fourth and fifth have
Corson and Craig memorials.
The
prayer desk, pulpit and communion table look toward a stunning rose
window at the rear of the Church.
There are two Douglas/Campbell memorial tablets. On the north wall is
one to Menteith Douglas Campbell, who was drowned aged seven on 18th
November 1847. The memorial to Major General Sir Barrington Bulkeley
Douglas Campbell, 3rd baron Blythswood is adjacent to the choir. (My
photograph, right, failed to work). It details his service in the Scots
Fusilier Guards, and was erected after his death on 12th March 1948 by
his son Archibald,
4th baron Blythswood, MVO Scots Guards.
Detail from the
stained glass windows:
See also:
•
All Hallows Church
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