A legacy etched in stone. That’s the Rutherglen West and Wardlaw Hill Parish Church. It stands as a testament to faith and community. Its history stretches back centuries. This isn’t just a building. It’s a living record of Rutherglen’s past.
The Rutherglen West and Wardlaw Hill Parish Church isn’t the first church on this very spot. Far from it. The current structure is at least the fourth. The very ground we stand on has been sacred for almost fifteen centuries. Imagine the countless prayers whispered here. The joys and sorrows shared within these walls.
Think of the first church. A simple wattle and daub structure. Built perhaps by followers of St Conval. A follower of St Mungo. This was in the 6th century. Just a few years after St Columba’s death. The earliest building was a humble testament to faith. Yet it held the same spirit as the grand building we see today.
Later came a Medieval church. A Roman Catholic church of St Mary the Virgin. This church was eventually replaced in the 1790s. A stone statue of St Eloi a patron saint of hammermen was unearthed during demolition. Now it resides in Hamilton’s Low Parks Museum. The Scottish Parliament even met in this Medieval church in 1300.
Then came the third church. Built in 1794 during the reign of King George III. The foundation stone held interesting relics. An engraved steel plate with a Latin inscription detailing its construction. This third church was eventually replaced by the current structure.
The Rutherglen West and Wardlaw Hill Parish Church we see today was designed by the renowned Glasgow architect Sir John James Burnet. Built between 1900 and 1902. Its dedication service was in 1902. The guest preacher was Dr Pagan a rather unfortunate name for a clergyman.
The church boasts several striking features. An incumbents board lists ministers since the Reformation. Including Rev John Dickson. A leader of the Covenanting Movement imprisoned on the Bass Rock. Stained glass windows also adorn the building. The north window commemorates Rev William Ferrie Stevenson. He was minister for 46 years. He spearheaded the fundraising efforts to build the current church. The south window is a war memorial. It remembers those killed in World War I. Including Private James Richardson a Victoria Cross recipient.
William Wallace too has ties to this sacred site. Legend says he signed a short-lived peace treaty with the English here. Sir John Menteith allegedly conspired with Sir Aymer De Valence to betray Wallace here. The subsequent capture of Wallace led to his execution.
The Rutherglen West and Wardlaw Hill Parish Church. More than just bricks and mortar. It is a living bridge between the past and present. A testament to faith perseverance and the rich history of Rutherglen. A truly remarkable place.