Church is a hymn of praise to the legacy of a genius

Keppie when he designed the church

– it was completed before his

30th birthday – the full artistic vision he became celebrated for in his later masterworks, such as Glasgow School of Art and Hill House, is already in evidence here.

The elegant natural forms and motifs that Mackintosh would become renowned for can be seen throughout the church, at the ends of the pews and in the pulpit, in the ceilings and on the stonework. There’s a cheeky sense of humour at work here too, as images of the birds and the bees decorate what would have been a place of strict Presbyterian worship. The stained glass is particularly beautiful, its purples and greens vibrant and visceral, lighting up the space on even a dark and gloomy autumn day. Beside the pulpit sit two original chairs that would not look out of place in a contemporary home thanks to the clean lines and graceful simplicity.

According to Mr Robertson, a formal naval architect, it is this sense of timeless modernity that still attracts people to “Toshie”, as he was known to close friends.

“Mackintosh was ahead of his time,” he explains. “He was feted across Europe and the US in his lifetime but not here in the UK. When the Society took over this church, few were interested in his work.

“Many more people appreciate Mackintosh now, of course. But the legacy is fragile, and it should be noted that we receive no public money.”

Next year – the 150th since Mackintosh’s birth - is a big one for both