CARMYLE CHURCH OF
SCOTLAND
155, South Carmyle Avenue, Carmyle
As
it approached the new Millennium, this Carmyle church faced many of those
problems which can attend nearly a century of use – a deterioration in the
fabric of the building requiring a significant amount of money to repair.
Some congregations find this challenge too great to overcome, often
because of the extensive removal of local populations to other locations, but
Carmyle was one of those fortunate churches which managed to rise to the
occasion and achieved its goals. When
the 100th anniversary arrived in 2002, the congregation was to find
itself in a re-roofed and refurbished building, with a restored bell tower.
The
present church, a red sandstone, late 16th century Gothic design by
Alexander Petrie, was dedicated in 1907, but missionary activity had been
undertaken in the Carmyle area for some years prior to this.
Tollcross Free Church, now Victoria Tollcross Church of Scotland, had
initiated work in the area in 1896. As
a consequence of this effort, an iron church was built in 1902 to house the
local adherents. By then, the Free
Church and the United Presbyterian Church had joined to form the United Free
Church and it was as a congregation of this new entity that the Carmyle charge
was sanctioned.
Like so many other churches, Carmyle did not escape unscathed from the ravages of World War 2 – it suffered blast damage as the Luftwaffe bombed nearby industrial complexes. In addition, as was the case with other buildings, its railings were removed to provide scrap metal for the war effort. The damage was quickly repaired however and following the war the railings were replaced. As with other churches however, it houses its memorials to those of its congregation who lost their lives in both world-wide conflicts.
Flanking
the chancel, above the door entries, are two panels crowded with Christian
symbolism. One represents the Old
Testament. Depicted on this are
several images recalling the Flood – a rainbow, the deluge and an ark.
A ladder, that of Jacob’s vision reaching to Heaven, leads to the ark.
To its left is a scroll of the Laws of Moses, to its right, a Burning
Bush. The first letter of the Greek
alphabet, Alpha, is encompassed by
the rainbow and signifies the beginning of all things and the eternal nature of
God.
The
second panel incorporates the last letter of the alphabet - Omega – and the
end of all things. These letters
are taken from the Book of Revelation where in St. John’s vision God makes the
analogy with Himself – “I am the Alpha and the Omega who is, and who was,
and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation
1:8). Also in the vision, Jesus
describes Himself in the same terms – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22.12).
Overall this second panel represents the New Testament and is replete
with other imagery which is dominated by an Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God.
An organ now fills the originally vacant chancel - after the fashion of the period - and since 1978 the charge has been linked with Kenmuir Mount Vernon Church. In more recent days, the pews have been replaced by moveable seating, allowing the body of the church to be used for a variety of purposes if necessary.
“Carmyle Parish Church – Centenary 1902-2002.”
© 2005 Gordon Adams
