1959

In the new church three services were held on a Sunday, at 10.15 and 11.30 in the morning and 6.30 in the evening.


The move into the new church building was completed in time for the baptism of the first baby on the 11th January, who was the minister's son, Roderick Angus Macleod. There were four other babies baptised at that same service.


The first meeting for mothers of children under school age was held on Tuesday 3rd February at 2.30p.m.

At the annual business meeting on 27th February, the following were elected to the Congregational Committee:  Mr Currie, Mrs Neill, Mr Whiteside, Mrs W. Shields, Mrs Steenson, Mrs Clarkson, Mr J. Dool, Miss McNaughton, Mr McKenzie, Mrs J. Robertson, Mr A. Smith, Mr J. Lawrence, Mr J. Aitken, Mr J. Crichton, Mr A. Erskine, Mr J. Davidson, Mr W. Shields, Mr W. Cunningham, Mr M. Hewitt, Mr D. McLaren, Mrs H. Rose, Mr A. McLachlan, Mrs Sime and Mr J. Anderson.


Mr Thomas Telfer of Holmbyre Terrace was appointed Session Clerk, replacing Mr A. E. Dickson of Cathcart Old Parish.


On Easter Sunday, 29th March, the flowers in the church were donated by Pavilion 11, Mearnskirk Hospital, in memory of Miss Finlay, of Toryglen, who was an enthusiastic leader in 44a Company of the Guildry until her death on 1st January.

Lance-Corporal Andrew Tedcastle of Arnprior Quadrant gained the Queen's Badge, the highest award in the Boys' Brigade.

Another Mission of Friendship took place from the 20th April until the 14th May, and then again in November, when folk from the congregation went out visiting in the parish, inviting people to come to Parish Receptions.

The Sunday School Trip took place to Balloch Park on the 13th June. 15 double- decker buses were required. Thrift clubs were set up to help parents with payment.


The Sunday School now had 950 children on the roll. Teachers had their annual meeting on 21st September, and in November, their conference at Piersland House in Troon. Miss McNaughton was in overall charge of the Sunday School and Miss Dunlop was the Secretary.
 

During the Fair Fortnight a party of about twenty boys from the Boys' Brigade Company joined forces with the 113th Company (Queen's Park High Church) to go to camp at Gullane.

The total offerings for the four months May to August were £830 13s 7d.


The Men's Association acquired their own set of carpet bowls. Their meetings were held on Mondays at 8p.m., when they had Bible studies, speakers, musical evenings and visits from Erskine-Rose Men's Association. There were also party nights for wives and children.

Mr George Paton, the Assistant Minister married on 11th September, and moved to a church extension charge in Aberdeen. He was replaced by Rev. David Montgomery, a former Baptist minister.



The Boys' Brigade Company Captain, Mr Picken of Mount Florida Church gave up the captaincy, and was replaced by Mr Chisholm of Battlefield East Church.


Miss Lesley McNair, of Netherlee, leader of the Junior Sunday School went to train at St. Colm's College in Edinburgh, with a view to taking up missionary work in Africa.


The bazaar held in Castleton School on 21st November realised the sum of £170, and this made “a useful contribution to the repayment of the debt on the church”.


On Sunday, 22nd November the Boys' Brigade Company attended a special service in the church to have their Colours and Pipes and Drums dedicated by the Rev. D. Macleod. There were 120 boys on parade and they were augmented by 40 boys from neighbouring Companies and the pipe band of 16th Croftfoot Parish B.B. Castlemilk Company had six sets of pipes and three drums by this time, and were undergoing intensive training under Mr McKenzie, one of the elders.

The collection for refugees taken at the Christmas Eve service amounted to £25.