Who are we?
A Short History
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Current St Andrew's Building
Nazarene Hall (formerly Church of the Nazarene) behind St Andrew's Church
The Church of the Nazarene continue to meet in the Nazarene Hall on a Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.
Expansion
Expansion in the Church
In 1993, Rev Ian Meredith, a Minister in the
United Reformed Church in England, was called to St Andrew’s. The mid
90s saw some considerable growth. New groups were started such as the
Women’s Friendship Circle and various small study groups. A local
homeless Scout group was offered accommodation, and various community
groups were given space to use. Mission development was given a greater
impetus, and we embarked on new publicity programmes. By 1995 the main
sanctuary seating 180 was full and the partition was opened to allow an
overflow into the hall. This is now permanent each Sunday. As a result the
Sunday School had to find alternative accommodation, and were able to do
so at a local youth centre, Terminal 1, a short walk from the church.
In 1996 and 1997 the other two parish ministers in Blantyre (Rev Peter Price from Blantyre Old and Rev Jim Hunter from Livingstone Memorial) retired and with Rev Meredith on Terminable Tenure readjustment and unions could be finalised for Blantyre.
However, the growth in membership of St
Andrew’s in the years preceding this meant that it was not so easy now
to consider a union. In part this was due to accommodation problems. But
St. Andrew’s had also settled on a more ‘modern and lively’ approach
to church life and worship. Livingstone Memorial had retained a more
‘traditional’ ethos. It was felt that such contrasts were necessary
alternatives for a growing town and so it was that St. Andrew’s and
Livingstone Memorial resisted any plans for union.
In 1997 Blantyre Old Parish Church was given permission to call a new minister on an unrestricted basis and subsequently Rev Rosemary Smith was inducted in 1997. Thus Blantyre Old would not be part of any readjustment plan. In September 1997, the Presbytery of Hamilton announced that St Andrew’s was also now to be given full status and that the Terminal Tenure was to be removed. Accordingly, Rev Ian Meredith was formally inducted to the new full status charge on St Andrew’s Day – 30th November 1997.
This change in position released us in St Andrew's. We have a sense of security now that had been lacking in previous years. This encouraged some investment in facilities. In 1999 the Church of the Nazarene building, which is located behind St Andrew's Church, was bought primarily to accommodate the Sunday Funday Club but also to provide increased space for other organisations. Evening Services are now held in the more intimate Nazarene Hall (as it is now called) as are study groups and even film showings.
1999 was a frantic year in the short 20 year history since the new St Andrew's building was opened: buying the Nazarene property and a new manse in Glasgow Road—one large enough to house many bookcases and still leave room for family life and dog!
After these purchases had been achieved we were once again plunged into uncertainty by the sudden resignation of Rev Ian Meredith.
Was there another round of debates/fights with Presbytery – now in its new guise as Forward Planning? No, not at all!! Instead we had a sympathetic response and supportive approval granted almost immediately to continue on full status and seek a new minister without delay or restriction.
With the help of many people, this was achieved in a very short time, with Rev. Peter Johnston being ordained and inducted in April 2001, some 6 months after Ian’s departure.
Which brings us to the present time! No doubt we will have to face further challenges in the future, but as we celebrate the 20 year anniversary of our new building, we can look back with some satisfaction that we have as a congregation risen to and overcome some difficult hurdles in that time, so that we need have no fear of the future!