My church

Ross McGowan offers an insight into the background and work of Park Church in Stirling.

OVER a period of 16 years, I was organist and choirmaster in three churches in Lanarkshire, with instruments varying from a harmonium to a pipe organ.

On being appointed Principal Teacher of Music in Denny High School, I moved to Stirling in 1968 and was invited to be organist and choirmaster in St Columba’s Church. In 2020, St Columba’s united with Allan Park South Church to form Park Church, with the joint congregation worshipping in the St Columba’s building.

All the ministers I have worked with have been very supportive, but our present minister, the Rev Attie van Wyk, is extremely musical and is a great help to me. We have a very enthusiastic choir, although it is not so strong in numbers as in former days, and, like most choirs, we are short of men. Nevertheless, we sing an anthem each Sunday, and the congregation enjoy a wide range of hymns from CH4. The choir also contributes to a number of activities outwith the church services.

The organ is a wonderful instrument which was built by Binns of Bramley, Leeds in 1903 and is still in excellent condition.

Although the number of young people attending Church is now lower, all age services take place from time to time, with the young people taking an active part. In conjunction with St Ninian’s Old Parish Church, there are Messy Church sessions several times in the year to encourage local families to take an interest in the church; three times a year, classes from local primary schools take part in various activities relating to the time of year; and once a year, we arrange a holiday club for primary school pupils.

“ The organ is a wonderful instrument which was built by Binns of Bramley, Leeds in 1903 and is still in excellent condition.

Christmas is a busy time in Park Church with two services on Christmas Eve and a short service on Christmas morning.

Recently, we have introduced some new initiatives, namely informal midweek services one evening per month and a “Cosy Café” one afternoon per month. With volunteers from other local churches, we hold a monthly Friendship Lunch, which is well supported. Our minister and the ministers of the Church of the Holy Rude and St Ninian’s Old Parish Church are conducting a series of bible studies.

The church halls are well used throughout the year by various groups, including choirs, Scouts and a drama group, as well as our own Church organisations.

Having retired from teaching in 1997, my main musical activities have been in my Church, and this gives me great satisfaction. ¤