The Cumnock Chronicle 24th December 1948

From the Cumnock Chronicle of the 24th December 1948

New Cumnock

ELECTRICITY INSTALLED IN MARTYRS' CHURCH

A large congregation of worshippers assembled in Martyrs' Parish Church on Sunday forenoon for the reopening of the church for public worship after extensive renovation and decoration.

After the singing of the 84th Psalm, "How lovely is Thy dwelling place", the minister, Rev Andrew Burnett said -"Today we have reopened our church for worship after extensive renovation. An admirable scheme of electric lighting has been installed and the Church has been tastefully repainted and so made more beautiful and serviceable for public worship. This work has been carried out by local contractors, and they have done it to the entire satisfaction of the Kirk Session. Some small additions and alterations have still to be made, but these have not interfered with the reopening today.

Gratitude to Congregation

I am deeply grateful to the congregation and especially to the ladies for their labours and sacrifices in raising the necessary funds to make this renovation possible, and we trust that they will find a merited reward in being able to worship in a church which they have helped to make beautiful for the service and worship of God."

Mr Burnett then called on Mr J. H. Stevenson, Rottenyard, the Church's oldest elder, to switch on the lights. After the performance of this duty by Mr Stevenson, Mr Burnett offered up a prayer of dedication.

For his sermon the minister elected to speak on the text, "Walk about Sion and go round about her. Tell the towers thereof, mark well her bulwarks, consider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generations following." and in his closing remarks he said -

Its Past and Future

"Today we have reached another landmark in the history of our Church. We have seen the Church beautified and relit and and made more serviceable for public worship. For 115 years this Church has stood, its tower pointing to Heaven and its bell calling every Sabbath day the people to worship. While we are justly proud of its past history, let us not rest satisfied with past acheivements, but let us bend our energies to the task of solving the problems and meeting the needs of our own day, and endeavour to make the Church's future greater than its past hasbee. Let us prize the heritage that has been bequeathed to us from the past, and let us pass it on to the generation that will come after us, unimpaired and enriched. "Therefore, walk about Sion and go round about her."

Service of Praise

A special service of praise in the evening was listened to and appreciated by a large congregation who were then able to gain full advantage of the new system of lighting. The Muirkirk Continuation Class Choir, with conductor Mr Adam Conchar, contributed a varied selection of hymns and sacred items. The choir soloists were Miss Margaret Gouldstone and Miss Dorothy Hadden, while the guest soloists were Mrs J Clanachan, Catrine, and Mr James Steele, Cumnock, Mr John Gibb, Catrine, played violin selections, and Mr Stewart Walker, Church Organist, presided at the organ.

At the termination of an uplifting service, Rev A. Burnett, who presided, expressed on behalf of the congregation, warm appreciation of the services rendered that evening by conductor, choir, soloists and organist.

The visitors were thereafter hospitably entertained.

Home / Church History