A Short History of the Parish

According to a report issued at the time, the solemn opening of the new church on the
15th March 1902, was a very impressive ceremony. As guests arrived, they were met at the conservatory by a military guard of honour and among the dignitaries who attended were the Spanish Consul who was living in Douglas Gardens at the time. Twenty six priests and nine altar boys in the sanctuary assisted at the Solemn High
mass celebrated by the Very Rev. Canon Dyer of St. Mary's, Glasgow, and a large choir, conducted by Mr. John McCusker, led the capacity congregation in singing the
Mass_ It was an ironic twist of fate that Fr. Bayaert, who had put so much effort into preparing for this great day, was unable to attend because of an injured foot. After
Mass, 160 guests were entertained to lunch in the large hall in the Royal Buildings at Uddingston Cross. In the evening Solemn Benediction was conducted by Fr. Van Hecke and the sermon was given by Fr. John Murphy who had been parish priest in
St. John's from 1887 to 1890. He congratulated the parishioners for the fervour and zeal which they had shown towards the building of the new church.

Shortly after celebrating his Silver Jubilee on the 18th March, 1964, Fr. Bayaert set about the task of building the League of the Cross Hall in the North British Road to provide a social centre for his parishioners but, sadly, his enjoyment of the new church and hall was short-lived as he was replaced as parish priest in 1908.

Fr Bayaert's successor was the well-remembered, energetic and genial Fr. James Towie whose long term of office in St. John's had a rather depressing start. The opening of the new St Bride's chapel school in Bothwell in 1910 brought about the transfer of many of St. John's parishioners and schoolchildren to the new parish and this decrease in the congregation was aggravated by the fact that many miners were leaving the district because of pit closures or frequent strikes. However, in spite of his depleted source of income, Fr. Towie continued to reduce the debt incurred by the new church and hall and his adverse comments about 'snowflakes' (the old silver threepenny pieces) in the offertory collection were probably well-intended. It should be noted, however, that he was always sensitive to the needs of his parishioners and collections were suspended during the strikes.

< previous page - next page >