Before St John’s

z     In 1966 a union between St John’s and two other Hamilton congregations was proposed.  This venture was rejected, however, enabling St John’s to appoint a new minister

z     St John’s called John Brown from St Brycedale Church, Kirkcaldy and inducted him in June 1967

What was he like?

z     Dr Brown had a vision for St John’s as a servant of the community and of men and women – just as Christ served

z     During his ministry the membership of St John’s increased from 520 to 890

Notable events

z     Hamilton town centre underwent change in the late 1960s, with the establishment of The Regent Shopping Centre and the Duke Street car park

z     The congregation too caught Dr Brown’s vision for serving the community: the St John’s Centre was developed and opened in 1970

z     In 1979, the University of St. Andrews conferred on John Brown the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity

After St John’s

z     He retired from active ministry in 1980

z     In 1994, a book containing a collection of Dr Brown’s sermons, A Time to Serve, was published to mark his 80^th birthday

Before St John’s

z     St John’s called Robert Ross from Tayport and inducted him in October 1927

What was he like?

z     Mr Ross led St John’s with courage and tenacity through the difficulties of the closure of coal mines around Hamilton, the 1930s depression and World War II

z     A devoted pastor, Mr Ross wrote personally to about 80 members of St John’s while they served during World War II

Notable events

z     His was the last United Free Church induction: two years later, a reunion brought St John’s back into the Church of Scotland, 84 years after the “Disruption” that had led to their separation

z     St John’s strongly supported foreign mission in the late 1930s and this effort was further stimulated when Mr Ross became convenor of the Church of Scotland’s Foreign Mission Committee

After St John’s

z     He retired from active service in 1965

Before St John’s

z     Robert Harvie came from his first charge in Earlston and was inducted in January 1921

What was he like?

z     He was noted for his bright and happy personality, his rousing and forceful preaching, and his caring pastoral work

z     He brought with him the force and vitality of youth along with inventiveness and fresh ideas

Notable events

z     During his time the number of organisations for young people in St John’s increased greatly

After St John’s

z     He left in 1927 to take up a charge at Cairns Church, Milngavie

Before St John’s

z     Before his ministry at St John’s, John Urquhart had served at Leslie and Chalmers Church, Glasgow, and the West Church, Rothesay

What was he like?

z     In contrast to his predecessor Dr Wallace, Mr Urquhart had an amiable appearance, colourful complexion and a cheerful manner.  His warm preaching style was populist, vigorous and deeply evangelical

Notable events

z     Unfortunately John Urquhart’s health failed under the strain of ministering during the sorrow and death of World War I.  After the end of the war he could no longer take part in active duties and two temporary ministers served at St John’s until a more permanent replacement was found

Before St John’s

z     In October 1875, George Wallace came from St George’s English Presbyterian Church in Sunderland to be inducted as minister of St John’s

What was he like?

z     Although outwardly stern and serious, beneath lay a warmer character whose influence and effectiveness increased as his congregation grew to know him over the years

Notable events

z     His arrival coincided with the expansion of coal mining in the areas around Hamilton and an increase in its population

z     A major feature of Dr Wallace’s ministry was his emphasis on evangelical work around Hamilton: in Low-Waters, Meikle Earnock, the Bent and Eddlewood.  At least two mission halls were used to help in this work

After St John’s

z     Dr Wallace retired in 1906, after 47 years in the ministry

Before St John’s

z     William Robertson was inducted as William Buchan’s successor in February 1870.  He had been minister at the Free High Church, Kilmarnock

What was he like?

z     His ministry at St John’s lasted about 5 years and so there was not much time for his character to influence St John’s deeply.  Records show that he was a good organiser and a progressive minister with an attractive preaching style

After St John’s

z     He left St John’s in 1870 to become minister of South College Street United Presbyterian Church in Edinburgh

Before St John’s

z     One of two ministers in the Parish of Hamilton

What was he like?

z     He had a youthful and energetic style which led to an enthusiasm in the congregation for education and mission in this country and overseas

z     On his death in 1869, St John’s lost a man of vitality who cared deeply for the well-being of the church and its people

Notable events

z     William Buchan became the first minister of St John’s following the creation of the new congregation to serve better the rapidly increasing population of Hamilton

z     Shortly after the creation of St John’s, Mr Buchan founded a school in which he taught for several years