Polmont Old Parish Church

An Illustrated Guide

POLMONT OLD PARISH CHURCH
7th June 1997
An Illustrated Guide

Welcome to Polmont Old Parish Church. The present building was erected in 1844 - 5 to replace the smaller building of 1733 (now ruined in the churchyard). It is a distinguished building in Romanesque style, whose unusual twin spires make it a prominent local landmark.

The beautiful interior is equally worthy of note, with its unusual horseshoe aisle. The doored box pews, common in the 18th century were already old fashioned in 1845 as were other Georgian woodwork features, but the result was a much admired plain and attractive interior.

The interior Joinery work was executed in 1845 by Mr. James McLaren of Grangemouth at a cost of £947 - 19s - 5d!

On the back wall of the sanctuary, beneath the gallery you will see the tapestry dedicated in 1995 to commemorate 150 years of worship in this building. The tapestry depicts scenes from the Old and New Testaments and the coming of Christianity to these shores.

If you have admired the tapestry, pause a little behind the horseshoe aisle and consider the words of the Psalm 100 (old Hymn 229) or Psalm 84 (Hymn 4). The hymn books open here belonged to the late Mrs. Meg Fowler and to Mrs. Molly Allison, well-kent worshippers.

You may take a (hard) seat to enjoy the building or wander round and explore.

Generations of varnish had given the woodwork a very dark appearance and it came as a great surprise to many when the varnish was stripped away in 1967, leaving the beautiful bright woodwork beneath.

Old painted numbers on the pews did not yield so easily, even after much stripping and numberplates were added to cover them.

It was at the same time, in 1967, that the 10 commandments, which were painted on the wall between the stained glass windows and had given in-sermon amusement to generations of children, were covered over and the plain and strikingly symbolic wooden cross erected. It reminds worshippers of the central place in the Christian message of "Jesus Christ crucified".

From the front of the church you may admire the stained glass, installed in the 1870s. The left window depicts the angels appearance to the shepherds. It was gifted in 1876 by Walter Scott, Glendronach, Aberdeenshire (son of Alex Scott, Gilston) "in affectionate remembrance of his youthful days at the parish school of Polmont" (across the road).

The window on the right was donated by members of the famous Salvesen family who occupied Polmont House and Lathallan House and whose maritime interests had brought them to Grangemouth.

The window records that it was gifted "in memory of Johan Theodor Salvesen, born at Mandel Norway, 1820, died at Polmont House 1865 and of his daughter Fredrikke Marie born at Grangemouth 1855, died at Franzensbad, Bohemia, 1873".

This window is of an uncertain scene perhaps intended to be St. Paul or one of the apostles preaching. In the background are a Greek temple and a Roman soldier. One who appears to be a Jewish teacher seems ready to enter the discussion, while the oration is blessed by the Holy Sprit, symbolised by a descending dove.

The Communion table made of Austrian Oak is an attractive, if very heavy, furnishing, dedicated to the memory of Rev. J. B. Mackenzie. The sheaves and vines with which it is decorated remind the worshipper of Jesus, the living bread and true vine.

In 1931, during the ministry of Rev. James Williamson, a pipe organ was installed, after a long period of fund raising. Older members of the time were astonished, and some offended, by its great sound. Visiting organists often comment on the fine quality of the instrument.

The pulpit was dedicated in 1956 in memory of Rev. James Williamson. On the left panel you will see again the descending dove, representing the Holy Spirit, familiar from the story of Jesus' Baptism (which you may read at Matthew 3; 13 - 17 on the table).

The centre panel depicts the Lamb of God with the scroll and seven seals which you may read of in Revelation chapter 5 (also open on the table). The Lamb of God figure also appears on the alms dishes.

The three interlocking fish is an old Scottish Christian symbol. Jesus promised to make his followers 'fishers of men'. Later the early Christians used the fish (Greek, ichthus) as an acrostic symbol meaning 'Jesus Christ God's Son, our Saviour'.

To the right of the pulpit you will see the plaque to the fallen of the Second World War, which records that the choir stalls were dedicated to their memory.

The choir stalls are decorated with Lilies, traditional symbols of innocence. Four carved figures represent the four evangelists (gospel writers). Since early Christian times the four have been associated with the angelic creatures seen by the prophet Ezekiel, having the faces of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle. Ancient writers felt that the different gospel portraits of Jesus reflected these characteristics of humanity (the man), kingliness (the lion), strength (the ox) and transcendence (the eagle).

To the left of the door you will see a monument to Rev. John Ker, during whose ministry the present church was built. For duration in this parish, his 47 year ministry ranks second only to the first minister Mr. Bennet's 50 years. (Enforced retirement at 65 means such records are a thing of the past).

In former days, the families of the 'big House' occupied prominent seats in the front of each block, with their servants behind. As a rule of thumb the biggest local landowner received the best seats! The Parkhill pew, occupied for many years by the Gray - Buchanan family, is marked by a plaque on the front wall to the left.

Climb to the pulpit and consider the view! When the church was opened on the morning of 20th July 1845 Mr. Ker preached to a congregation of 1200 on Psalm 63 vs. 1 & 2, at which the Bible is open.

In the vestry (straight ahead through the door) you will see a painting of the church by Laurence Crawford Junior in 1971. You will see pictures of seven of the ten previous ministers, with information about them on the desk, with the exception of Mr. Ker, mentioned above.

Mr. McFarlane, who sacrificed Scotland's largest stipend to join the Free Church at 1843, doubtless had an influence on the 200 members of Polmont Church who left in 1843 to form Polmont Free (now Brightons Parish) Church. Mr. Ker, then the incumbent, remained loyal to the 'Auld Kirk'.

In the Session House - Fellowship Room (along the passage) you will see some further artefacts. The large lectern was donated in 1895 "by Miss Wickham in memory of her late brother".

An attractive view of the church, taken in the 1930s - across the old glebe, may be seen on the wall.

If you retrace your steps to the vestibule you may ascend the south stair to the gallery.

Inside the gallery you will see displayed the diagram drawn up by the Sheriff of Stirling who had to be asked in 1845 to arbitrate between the competing landowners, since representatives of the Marquis of Zetland and the Duke of Hamilton, in particular, could not agree on the division of the pews.

From here you will obtain a different perspective on the church and the stained glass. You may turn right and climb to the back of the gallery and the steps leading to the South tower. Within the tower room (now used only for storage and access to the loft space) you may look up and see the Bell.

The bell was donated in 1870 to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Logan of Clarkston (Avondale) to whose daughter, Margaret, Rev. John Ker had been married. The Bell was donated by the surviving sons and daughters of the Logan family.

The bell weighs 15 cwts. and summoned worshippers until 1969 before a crack necessitated use of a tape (of our bell) instead. Mrs. Susan Fordham tells of a youthful visit to this room in which the bell was rung by the beadle Mr. Copland, who allowed her to ring the bell but did not tell her to let go the rope - resulting in her rapid ascent!

You may retrace your steps to the vestibule and, if you wish, consider the different perspective from the North gallery.

As you leave the church you will do so under the watchful gaze of the carved heads of (left) French Reformer, John Calvin and (right) Scottish Reformer, John Knox. Calvin's published sermons and theological works had a wide influence, particularly in a reformed worship based on preaching and Psalm singing and rule by elders (Presbyters).

One of those who went to Geneva and were influenced by Calvin was John Knox, one time galley slave of the French and later minister of the High Kirk of Edinburgh and Moderator of the first General Assembly (1560). Knox and his colleagues laid the foundation of much of the Kirk's faith and practice.

The monumental influence of these two giants remains in the Kirk to this day.

More abiding is the presence of the risen Lord Jesus to whose glory this building is dedicated:

May you know the mercy and peace of Jesus Christ as you go on your way.