Coltness Memorial Church
History and Photographs


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Coltness - 120 Years

On the 22nd December this year Coltness Memorial Church will celebrate its 120th year as a Church. Coltness Church interior Coltness Memorial Church was erected and endowed by James Houldsworth, Laird of Coltness, and his wife Katherine Janet in affectionate remembrance of their eldest son Henry Herbert Houldsworth who was born on 24th January 1865 and died on 15th May 1876. Mr and Mrs Houldsworth were of the belief that the erection of a church would provide for the spiritual necessities of the locality, whilst at the same time associating it with the memory of their beloved son, and that it would be a fitting gift to the district.
The cost of building the church was between £7,000 and £8,000

Pulpit

 

The structure, which is Norman-Gothic in style was built from designs by W. Wallace Esq. Architect, of London.

The elegant pulpit is of Caen stone from France with pillars of dark Serpentine Marble.

 

 

Font

 

 

 

The Baptismal Font is also of Caen stone and is of the same design as the pulpit. The Chancel in Linnen -fold design is of finely carved oak as are the Choir Stalls.

 

 

 

Stained glass windows

The windows are filled with stained glass of a very fine rich character. The east Memorial window above the Chancel is an extremely fine work of art and bears special reference to what is beautiful and estimable in the typical children of the Bible text:- "These were redeemed among men, being the first fruits to God , and to the Lamb" being the motive of the whole design. The west window illustrates the virtues - Faith, Hope and Charity; The work of these windows was carried out by Messrs Adam and Small of Glasgow from the designs prepared by Mr Stephen Adams. A peal of five bells was placed in the massive Norman Tower capable of playing the hymn tune Rousseau to which the children's hymn "Lord, a little band and lowly, we are come to sing to Thee" is usually sung, Unfortunately due to the state of the Tower the bells were removed. The building which is 100 feet long by 70 feet broad provides sitting accommodation for approximately 800 people. The Church was opened for Divine Worship on Sunday, 22nd December 1878. The Service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. J. Elder Cumming, of Sandyford Church, Glasgow, who preached from the Gospel according to St. Luke, chapter 4 verse 18: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me .....to preach the gospel to the poor: he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to set at liberty they that are bruised. Dr. Cumming proceeded to observe that the text suggested a Christian message, and a message of comfort to bereaved and sorrowing ones; and that it was the aim of the National Church to keep in view the idea suggested by our Lord's first sermon, which formed the subject of his text - the preaching of the Gospel to the poor, and the broken hearted. The newly appointed Minister the Rev. J. A. Chrystal of Cults preached in the evening; the Church was crowded to overflowing at both diets of worship. Dr. Pearce, from Glasgow, presided at the organ and one of his pupils, Mr Harvey, was appointed as Organist of the Church.

Organ

Facts about the Organ.

Like the rest of the building, 1878 is the date of the fine pipe organ which was donated by Mr Walter J Houldsworth; The instrument was built by Thomas Lewis and Son of London, (later incorporated into the famous firm of Henry Willis and Son.) and consists of two manuals and pedals At the time of writing the instrument is substantially in its original condition and is one of the very few Lewis instruments in Scotland to retain the original mechanical action.

The full specification is as follows:-
 

 

Great Organ  Swell Organ 
Super Octave2 feetClarionet8 feet *
Flute4 feetOboe8 feet
Vox Angelica8 feetHorn8 feet
Lieblich Gedackt8 feetMixture (11 Ranks) 
Harmonic Flute8 feetFlautina2 feet
Salicional8 FeetGeigen Principal4 feet
Open Diapason8 feetGeigen Principal8 feet
Swell to Great  Voix Celestes8 feet
   Viole De Gambe8 feet
Petal Organ     
   Pohr Flote8 feet
Flute Bass8 feetBourdon16 feet
Quint Bass10 2/3 feetTremulant* 
Sub Bass16 feet   
Open Diapason16 feet   
Swell to Pedal     
Great to Pedal     

Items marked * are later additions to the Organ. In addition to the items noted above, the original trigger swell pedal has been removed and replaced with a modern balanced pedal. Also electric blowing equipment has replaced the original hydraulic mechanism

 


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