ANNIVERSARY
Mark Pirie
Greenhills Parish Church came together to mark 40 years in their current home.
In 1972, Greenhills Parish Church began in the minister’s manse when 20 people gathered on a Sunday for worship.
As numbers grew, the congregation became established in Castlefield Primary School until the present building opened in April 1977.
Nearly 100 people packed into the church to celebrate the historic landmark – with visitors from East Kilbride Methodist Church and the Westwood Baptist Church taking part in the festivities.
They were also joined by East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani and East Kilbride, Lesmahagow and Strathaven SNP General Election candidate Dr Lisa Cameron as they sang hymns and enjoyed a tasty meal.
The service was led by the moderator of Hamilton Presbytery, Rev Gavin Black and guest preacher Rev Allan McWilliam, who grew up in Greenhills Manse.
Their was a real link to the building’s history as Allan’s father, Tom McWilliam, was the first minister of the church.
There was then time for reflections on the 40-year history and commitment about moving on into the future and the purpose of the church in the modern day.
Many letters and cards were received and there was special appreciation of neighbours at St Vincent’s RC Church – who gifted a large Irish crystal cross with personalised inscription.
Other participants included Chris Coles, one of the first elders and deaconess Agnes Tait, one of the first female elders.
Ella Mathieson, session clerk, and Rev John Brewster also took time to speak on what was a special occasion.
Ms Mathieson was delighted with how the event went.
And she has her fingers crossed that the building will be standing for at least another 40 years.
“It felt like a real occasion,” she said. “It’s not something that happens every day!
“It was almost 40 years to the day of the celebration that the church opened it’s