| Following the Second World War the Government began an ambitious programme of New Town building. Cumbernauld, 12 miles north east of Glasgow was one of those sites chosen. The Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, the Most Rev Francis Moncreiffe sent a priest, Rev. George Sessford to the town in 1958 to gather a congregation. He was a man of great missionary zeal and is still remembered fondly by some of the older members of the congregation to this day. Early services were held in the priest's house on weekdays and schoolrooms on Sundays. As the numbers grew, Bishop Moncreiffe began an appeal across the diocese to raise funds to build a church. Hugh Wilson, a member of the congregation and the architect of the early party of the New Town was chosen to design the building. His design was forward looking. The High Altar was set away from the wall so that the priest could conduct services facing the congregation if he wished. This was well ahead of the coming liturgical reforms of the late '60's and '70's. The funds were raised and the church (costing £28,000 including the halls!) was opened and consecrated with the dedication Holy Name (the title was chosen by the bishop) on September 22nd 1962. Holy Name was the first new place of worship opened in Cumbernauld. Amazingly when it was opened it was totally free of any building debt. One of the most striking features of the church is a magnificent life sized wood carving of Christus Rex (Christ the King) behind the High Altar. It was commissioned and gifted by an anonymous family and was carved by Scottish artist William Crosbie. Together with some of the early church members the congregation today numbers many from the generations that followed. Though small in number we are an active church and one of the founding members of Cumbernauld Churches Together. Holy Name is used regularly for ecumenical events in the town. |
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First of all, let's lay aside a few misconceptions! The Scottish Episcopal Church is NOT the 'English Church', nor is it the 'Church of England in Scotland'. The Scottish Episcopal Church has it's roots in the ancient Celtic Christianity of Ninian and Columba. Yes, we are in full communion with Anglican Churches worldwide, but we are also in communion with the Lutheran Churches of the Baltic and Scandinavia, such as the Church of Sweden. To learn more of our history follow the link at the bottom of this page. |
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Rev. George Sessford |
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Holy Name Scottish Episcopal Church Cumbernauld |
| Page updated 16 October 2008 |
| History |
