Religion
We know from historical documents that the Cistercian Monks were forced to flee the lands of Kermil on various occasions, depending on the disposure towards them of the dominating clergy of the times.
For many years Christians of all denominations had to travel to nearby districts to participate in public worship, but by the latter part of the 19th century, Carmyle contained sufficient numbers of followers, of the Christian faith, to necessitate a permanent church in the village. However it wasn’t until the middle of the 20th century that those of Roman Catholic persuasion were sufficient in number to merit the establishment of a parish in Carmyle.
On 1st March 1954, the first Mass was said for the villagers in the Welfare Hall, in Gardenside Avenue. Father Noon was appointed Parish Priest in August 1954 and the new Parish of St. Joachim’s was founded on 31st August 1954. Mass continued to be said in the Welfare Hall, served from St. Joseph’s. Meanwhile negotiations were in progress for the purchase of Hamilton’s Farm, in River Road, for conversion into a church.
When the transaction was completed in 1955, a substantial amount of rebuilding was necessary with expenditure being kept to the minimum.
All the able-bodied men of the Parish, tradesmen, labourers and office workers, rolled up their sleeves to help in the building of their church. Doctor Alexander and Mr. Adamson, the dentist, were also willing helpers and when the army of volunteer builders and labourers finished, an eager band of cleaning ladies moved in.
Father Noon said the first Mass in the new church in June 1955 and the first Requiem Mass held there, was for James Mahony, who died on 17th November 1955.
The new Church of St. Joachim’s in Inzievar Terrace was opened in September 1957 and was inaugurated by Canon Joseph Gallacher, of St. Joseph’s, Tollcross. The congregation helped to achieve the necessary finances to build the new red brick church. The old building was then used as a church hail. Fellowship evenings were enjoyed by all who attended the various clubs and functions held in the hail, and many children had their breakfast there, after their first Holy Communion.
Father Noon left to take up the post of parish Priest at St, Ninian’s Knightswood, and Father Gallacher was appointed Parish Priest of St.Joachim’s Church, Carmyle, in March 1963.
In April 1972 Father Gallacher was elevated to Canon and fulfilled his duties until his death, in may1979. That same month, Father Murphy was appointed to St. Joachim’s.
A new hall was built within the grounds of the church, at Inzievar Terrace, and the old hail in River Road, was sold - now the Cue Club. Father Murphy retired on 28th March 1989, and a presentation evening was held in the Church hail. Sadly, he died shortly afterwards in a drowning accident, while on holiday. Father McEwan was appointed to St. Joachim’s on 28th March 1989.
Various fund-raising events are held in the Church hall, throughout the year, such as monthly dances, and bingo evenings. This enables the congregation to invite senior citizens, of all denominations, to an annual Christmas Party, where the guests are treated to a refreshment, dinner and seasonal gift.
United Free Church, Carmyle
During an evangelical revival in the Cambuslang area, religious and other publications of the period, give some insight into the social lives of the villagers, and indicate that after a day’s work, the people of Carmyle showed great interest in political and spiritual lectures. Bible reading was a part of everyday life, but travel to Tollcross or Cambuslang was necessary, if they wished to participate in public worship.
Due to the zeal of the Kirk session of Victoria Church, Tollcross,who vigorously pressed the Glasgow Presbytery to appoint a missionary to supervise the outlying districts of the Clyde Iron
Works and Carmyle, their request was granted in 1896.
During the summer months open air services were held on the Bleachfield Green. Home visits and Bible classes were introduced by Mr. Anderson, who had been appointed missionary for the area.
In August 1896, a committee, dealing with financial matters, was formed, and as a result of the mission’s success, a recommendation was made, that an iron church be erected in Carmyle, until such times as a permanent structure could be built.
After several months of negotiations, the present site was purchased and an iron church erected. The first service, held there, was on 2nd March 1902. By 1905 weather conditions had eroded the metal structure to such an extent that the necessity of building a permanent structure became of paramount importance to the new minister, the Rev. John Calderwood. At a session meeting, the decision was made to erect a building, at an estimated cost of £2,500. Grants of up to £1,400 were expected and a three day bazaar, held in the Trades Hall Glassford Street, Glasgow, raised £1,750. The dedication service of the “new” church was held on 17th March, 1907.
Three preachers succeeded the Rev. Calderwood after his calling to a church in Greenock in 1912.
The Rev. J. Lyle Rodger was inducted in 1931 and served during the second world war, also ministering to the armed forces stationed in the area.
During this period the church was damaged, several times, by blast when the Luftwaffe targeted Colville’s Steel Works.
The Rev. Rodger retired in 1950 and in October of that year, was succeeded by the Rev. William Hamilton B.D.
The church celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1952 and a commemorative brochure was printed to mark the occasion. In 1955 Rev. Hamilton left for Ervie and Kirkholm Church in the presbytery of Stranraer, and the Rev. David Hamilton McMahon was appointed locum. The congregation persuaded him to apply for the post as minister to Carmyle. His induction service was held on 26th February 1956, and after 21 years service, in his dual role as Minister and Justice of the Peace, he retired to Stewarton in Ayrshire. He died, in hospital, in Kilmarnock on 17th March 1986.
On 22nd February 1978, the Rev. H. Marshall Gibson, minister of Kenmuir Church, Mount Vernon, was inducted as minister of Carmyle, the two churches becoming a linked charge. He left to take up a post in St. Thomas’s Church, Gallowgate, Glasgow, in April 1982.
With the arrival of the young Rev. James Davies, in November 1982, came many changes, not only to the church building, but to church music and services. He went to St. Stephen’s Church in Aberdeen on the 29th February 1989.
The present minister is the Rev. William Bruce McDowall. His induction was held in Kenmuir Church on 23rd August 1989.
Carmyle Parish Church, 1906, laying of memorial stone ceremony
The 136 Company of the Boy’s Brigade, in Carmyle, was part of the Shettleston District B.B. and still is today. During the second world war, Carmyle Church Hall, where the B.B.s met, was impounded by the Ministry of Defence, as an A.R.P. station. Buckets, ladders, sand and stirrup pumps were kept in the hall, in case of emergency. Most of the Carmyle B.B.s went to Mount Vernon Company, at that time. After the war years, the 136 Company reformed in Carmyle and was very well attended.
Other organisations, attached to Carmyle Church, were the Badminton Club, which met on a Saturday, the Table Tennis Club on Tuesday nights, where the lads went to get a girlfriend. On Thursday evenings, the Men’s Club were in the hall and played carpet bowls. Visiting clubs came from Tollcross, Coatbridge, Larkhall, Parkhead, Baillieston and Coatdyke. The Youth Fellowship met on Sunday evenings, in the Session House, and we had speakers, on all types of subjects, quizzies and sometimes visits to other Fellowships. We also went to Holland, on a trip, where I met my wife - ah, happy times!
In 1938, young Sergeant Thomas Dudgeon was the first, and only member, in the history of the Company, to win the King’s Badge, the highest honour awarded to the Brigade.
The 136 Company of the Boys Brigade, dressed in full uniform, pose for this Annual Inspection photograph.
Membership of the Brownies and Guides was a popular pursuit of young women in the village. The Brownies were originally known as 1st. Carmyle, when part of the County of Lanarkshire, and are now the 355th Glasgow Brownie Pack.
The 355th Glasgow Brownie Company on a day out at Glasgow Zoo to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Movement, 31st May 1989
