The Episcopal Church in Paisley
At Easter 2004 the two separate Paisley Episcopal
congregations of Holy Trinity and St Barnabas came together to form a new single parish.
The Castle Street buildings formally St. Barnabas were deconsecrated with joint
worshipping continuing at Moss Street formally Holy Trinity. Much of the sacred furnishing and stained glass of St. Barnabas are being
re-housed in the Moss Street premises forming the new church of "The Holy Trinity and
St. Barnabas."
In
1817, the Reverend William Wade, was sent to Paisley by the then Bishop of
Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow. He named the church Holy Trinity, and by 1833
the church was built. At that time, the building was a square preaching
box with a rear gallery, a double pulpit and a desk for the reader, while in
front and below this stood an altar surrounded by a semi-circular rail. By 1880, the Oxford movement had reached Paisley and it was
decided to build on a chancel and sanctuary with a vestry and organ loft.
This was built over a small graveyard in which the Reverend Wade is still
buried, and was completed in 1883. The sanctuary is noted for its fine
Minton tile work which was gifted by the Earl of Glasgow. The choir was then robed and moved to the
chancel. Since that time, changes have been made to the halls and many
gifts have adorned the church, but the basic fabric of the building has remained
unchanged. Worship continues in the Episcopalian manner, as it has since
1817. The church has maintained an excellent choral tradition in
keeping with the quality of the organ and the acoustics, which are said to be
excellent. The church hosts these annual events : The congregation actively supports these annual events : This particularly fine lectern was
donated by St Oswald's Church in Glasgow. The
St Barnabas Stained Glass
Windows (These
have been removed and will be re-installed in the north nave of the Moss Street
building,) Former members of the
Catholic Apostolic Church in Glasgow gave the
major part of the main window. It shows the Risen and Ascended Christ. The side windows were given by Tom Forsyth who was a local
butcher. Top Trefoil :
Alpha and Omega - Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things.
(Revelation 1, v8) Quatrefoils :
Iota, Eta, Sigma - The Greek spelling of Jesus - IHS - Iesus Hominum
Salvator - Latin for Jesus, Saviour of Mankind (left). Chi (X) + Rho
(P) - the first two Greek letters for Christ (right). Side Windows :
The Word and Sacraments, the left with a chalice, the right with a
Bible. Centre Window
: The
major (upper) part shows the Risen and Ascended Christ. The text is from
Revelation 22. The Star of Jacob (Numbers 27, v17) finds its
fulfilment in the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles (Matthew 22,
v1,2). The dove signifies The Holy Spirit and the presence of
God. Simeon and Anna are with Christ (St Luke 2). The lamb
stands with the Banner of Victory, showing the victorious nature of
Christ's sacrifice. The lower part shows Elizabeth and Zechariah holding
their son, John the Baptist, who is pointing to Jesus the Lamb of God.
The separate histories and notable features are detailed below.
A Brief History of Holy Trinity
After the partial repeal of the penal laws in 1792,
Episcopalians in Paisley and the surrounding area began to think about having
their own clergyman. Previously, to attend church, they had to travel to
St Andrew's by the Green in Glasgow to worship at the only qualified chapel in
the area.
The seating consisted of wooden pews and as there was no central
aisle, access was from the side aisles only. The church was heated by two
large stoves which stood halfway along the north and south walls. The
choir and organ were in the gallery, the organ being the first in Paisley since
the reformation.
Burns Supper - January
Paisley Open Doors Week - July
Garden Party - July / August
St
Barnabas Church was originally called St Barnabas' Mission Church.
The Church
was dedicated in 1895, and initially depended on immigrant English workers coming to Coat's
Mills. The architect was Alexander Ross of Inverness, and the Patrons
are the Bishop of Glasgow and the Vestry.
Christian Aid week in May
