‘It’s all about staying engaged with community’ as St Leonards church marks its golden jubilee
They are looking back on 50 years at Claremont Parish Church.
But don’t think for a minute that there isn’t an eye on the future to ensure a thriving church community for the next generations.
And everyone will know that the journey began in a wee house in a quiet St Leonards street.
As you enter the church building as it is today, the striking communion table grabs your attention.
Minister Gordon Palmer, who has been at Claremont for over 15 years, reveals that even this eye-catching piece is steeped in history.
The pews in the church were ripped out in 2010 but turned into a communion table by some handymen from South Lanarkshire Council.
“They were very uncomfortable pews,” jokes Rev Palmer.
“It shows what the church is all about – staying active and engaged with the community. When the new town was built the Church of Scotland was thi of expanding into the new communit
“St Leonards was being built in th 60s and early 70s, and the congregation was being formed.
“There was a couple who lived ar the corner from where we are now wh moved to East Kilbride from Dennis The first-ever service took place in house – No 7 Glen Lyon.
“It started there and we began usin hall in St Leonards, then the hall in Bla before we were able to come to the ch in 1972.” How did Claremont get its name? “The name comes from a congregat Glasgow which was closing down,” ans Rev Palmer.
“I’m not sure where that tradition from, but quite often when a congreg closed down a name would be transfe
“That congregation also provided th and some furniture.”
Even as you walk towards the back – to enter via the halls – the area is ste