The Church Today

ST. ANDREW’S PARISH CHURCH

Church Gate Moffat

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The Church Today

The 'Flying Spur' Kirk was the place of worship for ninety-seven years and was replaced by a new church, a little to the south of its predecessor. The first Service was held on the 23rd September, 1887, and it was dedicated to St. Andrew. At that time all the farms around Moffat on the Annandale Estate were occupied by Johnstones, so in the dedication to St. Andrew we see a change in taste as to what is right for God's House.

The Church was built in the early English Gothic style of red sandstone from the Corncockle quarry. The architect was Mr. John Starforth, Edinburgh. The Church is of exceptionally fine construction, the materials and the workmanship, externally and internally, represent the best of a time when quality was at an apex. The doorway arches are finely carved and decorated, while some eighty sculpted heads from those on the archstops above the west door depicting angels to those of the gargoyle type on the turrets also adorn the building. The cost of church and manse, including furnishings and the laying out of the grounds, was £14,000. In 1932 a handsome clock with chimes was placed in the church tower as a gift from Mrs. Goldie Boag in memory of her husband who was the Minister of Tenandry in Perthshire.

The church arrangement internally is that of a typical Scottish Burgh Kirk. A fact which was highlighted in 1974 when the Session Clerk Mr. Hugh Simpson, who was also Town Clerk, arranged for the Church to be used for a special Burgh ceremony when the Provost, Mr. Andrew Fingland, was made a Freeman of the Burgh and received the Burgess Ticket. Under the new local government arrangements such a ceremony will never take place again; so we must console ourselves with the poet's lines:-

"The old order changeth, yielding place to new."
"And God fulfills Himself in many ways."

From the pulpit with its embroidered Fall below the Faith, Hope and Charity west window, designed by the architect for the Church, to the Ingram organ in the east gallery, the church furnishings are evidence of the affection in which St. Andrew's has been held over the years. The Communion Table and Chairs, the Font which was carved by the master mason, Mr. Denholm, the Lectern and Bibles, the Flower Vases and Stands, and the Praise Boards were all gifts.

The injunction, 'Enter, Gaze and Pray', might well apply to the variety and attractiveness of the stained glass in St. Andrews. A window, entitled "Feed my Sheep" in the south transept, was transferred from the old 'Flying Spur' Kirk and is in memory of the Rev. Alexander Johnstone, Minister of Moffat 1801-1851. The Rose window is in memory of the Rev. John MacVicar, 1853-1884, the David and Soloman window in the north transept is in memory of the Rev. Donald Bryce 1884-1890, the Saints Francis and Ninian window in the south transept is in memory of the Rev. Robert Somers 1891-1921 and there is a memorial window to the Rev. John L. Farquhar 1926-1960 which in its modern colouring and style contrasts with the early “Feed my Sheep window” in the south transept. The pine wood used throughout the building is a particularly attractive feature, seating being provided for 1,150 persons.

At the rear of the sanctuary and under the organ gallery hangs a framed Pulpit Fall, illustrating the symbols of the four Gospels. The embroidery was done by a member of the congregation, Mrs. Magda Fell. The Fall hung for many years in Newark Parish Church,Port Glasgow until the church was closed in 1987.

In the vestibule of the church is a locally crafted chandelier gifted in 1999 by one of the elders, David Campbell, in memory of his late wife Mrs. Jenny Campbell.