Viewpark Parish Church traces its history back to the various mission stations, which included Tannochside Mission (possibly held at Russell Place), Addie Square Mission, Newlands Mission and a United Free Church Mission known as Braehead Mission as well as the Tannochside Young Mens Christian Association; but the main one was Nackerty Mission.

NACKERTY MISSION HISTORY (1866 – 1891)

“Presented to the Rev. J. A. Ireland, by the congregation and those associated with him in his work, while assistant in the Parish of Bothwell, to express their high appreciation of the ability and faithfulness of his ministries.”

The next Missionary Minister was the Rev. Thomas Hislop who arrive in 1876. He was again another young man in his late 20’s, staying only a short time, departing when he was ordained to Dalziel Old Parish Church, Windmillhill, Motherwell on 10 November 1877. He must have made a huge impression on his congregation as on his departure he was gifted a harmonica (costing £50 which was a considerable sum in those days) in appreciation for his missionary services in the area.

Between 1877 and 1891 The Rev. George Caldwell was appointed Missionary Minister. He may well have inspired the Managers of the Mission to approach Rev. Dr John Pagan minister of Bothwell Parish Church so a New Church could be built, but this has never been recorded. The Rev. Caldwell moved on and was ordained in Symington Parish Church on 11 November 1891, where there is a plaque commemorating his long tenure as the minister there. He died in 22 May 1927.

By the summer of 1891 the Nackery Mission Managers had unanimously agreed that Aitkenhead Works School was now seen as being no longer suitable as a place of worship and so all seven members of Nackerty Mission who were recorded as being a ‘Zealous Deputation’ first made it known to The Rev. Dr Pagan at the Bothwell Parish Church Manse. At this meeting The Rev. Dr Pagan requested that the statements made at the meeting be put in writing and submitted to the Kirk Session of the Church for their consideration. This was done within a few days of the initial meeting and signed on behalf of the managers by Mr William Gardiner, the author of the letter.

THE ‘ZEALOUS DEPUTATION’

Mr Hugh Donnan, Mr Robert Gardner, William Gardener – Treasurer, Mr William Muir, Mr Allan Roy, Mr William Shaw, and Mr David Wilson.

THE LETTER (JUNE 1891)

To the Minister and Kirk Session of the Parish of Bothwell, from the managers of Nackerty Mission putting forth various reasons for erection of a suitable place of worship there:

‘The Schools at Nackerty and Tannochside are unsuitable as places of worship and for accommodating the various agencies of a congregation. In neither of these schools is it possible to have cleanliness and comfort that people expect in a place of worship. During winter there are constant complaints of cold and draughts in the school at Nackerty. It is impossible to avoid these owing to the lack of proper heating apparatus, and the position of the doors, windows, and partitions. The furniture of the school is no adapted for a place of worship. This causes much personal inconvenience and sometimes damage to dress. The school being situated in the Rows, it is extremely disagreeable that people when assembled for worship in the afternoon, should have to pass, as not seldom happens, children half-clad and unwashed, and rough careless men loitering about. The school at Tannochside being an end house of one of the rows and the most public part, it frequently happens that there is interruption of worship from noise without. From these various reasons not, a few who reside in the district and particularly the better-to-do class, though they may occasionally worship with us, refuse to join our congregation. Many of them we are led to believe, would join us if we had a proper church accommodation.

As the School at Nackery is not under our control, considerable inconvenience arises in connection with our arrangements. The Choir cannot meet on some regular nights, nor can we have the school at any time we wish. Our Sabbath School work is carried on at Tannochside, and in consequence many of the children of the congregation are compelled to attend a Sabbath School not connected with us. Our Young Men’s Guild also meets at Tannochside, and numbers of our young men are naturally drawn to associations more convenient for them with the result that they are altogether lost to the Mission. Taking all these things into account, and the probability that under more favourable conditions and circumstances the work and success of the Mission would be greatly enlarged, we cannot but feel that the people are unanimous, and will contribute liberally for this purpose. We believe that not a little help would come from those outside of us who know the facts which have been stated, and we hope also that this assistance would be obtained from the Home Mission Committee, The Baird Trust and also the Ferguson Bequest, from these various sources we anticipate that means can be got sufficient for the erection of a building such as is required. We are confident of this that our membership would greatly increase, that the income from collections would correspondingly increase and that pew rent would be a new source of revenue. In these ways we feel that the influence of the Mission would be much increased, and more good would be done in the district that is possible with the present arrangements. It would be much regretted that the Church of Scotland, for want of a better building, should lose the opportunity which it has at present of confirming and strengthening the good work which it has done in the district during the past twenty-five years.

In the name of the Mangers,
(signed) W. M. Gardener.

The Managers were extremely confident with the setting up of a fund that was to be the Liberality of its members and it was known that the miners of the local pits, members of the mission gave up part of their wages, meagre as they were, to help towards the building. A target of £300 was set by the Bothwell Parish Church, Kirk Session to be raised by the mission member. This was surpassed by over £150, now totalling £450.

The Baird Trust gifted £350 and Home Mission gifted £150, their largest Grants. Contributions were received by outside the congregation and personal friends of the Rev. Dr John Pagan that amounted to a grand total of £1491 (a list of donors were listed separately and was recorded on 1892 Annual Report). This was later increased to £1526 and was handwritten after the printing of the 1892, 26th Annual Report of the Bothwell Parish Church Congregation.

The Final Missionary appointed under the guidance or the Rev. Dr John Pagan, the Minister for Bothwell Parish Church, was The Rev. David Ness in 1892, until the new Church ‘Thornwood Mission’ had been completed and opened on 24 September 1893, where he continued as the Minister until 28 August 1894, when he was ordained to Whiteinch Parish Church.

NACKERTY MISSION MISSIONARY MINISTERS

Rev. John Alexander Ireland (Circa 1866 – May 1876)

The Rev. John Alexander Ireland was the first recorded missionary at Nackerty Mission and at another mission known as Addie Square Mission (which is not well recorded but could well have been held at the old Tannochside School, employed by Bothwell Parish Church under the Rev. Dr John Pagan, it is unclear when he started, put most probably around 1866 as is recorded in the letter above. By all accounts he was a very young man estimated to be in his mid to late 20s.

There was an article in the Hamilton Advertiser 13 May 1876 page 2, where it is recorded when he finished his ministry there and was gifted by a Mr Brown on behalf of the congregation of Nackerty, Tannochside and Addie Square Missions a valuable gold watch and  salver (silver plate) with the inscription:

“Presented to the Rev. J. A. Ireland, by the congregation and those associated with him in his work, while assistant in the parish of Bothwell, to express their high appreciation of the ability and faithfulness of his ministries.”

A brief personal history of Rev. Ireland; born in Edinburgh on 12 July 1846, son of John Balfour Ireland, a banker, and Barbour Georgina Ireland Scott. He was a grandson of Walter Foggo Ireland, minister of North Leith. He was educated at St. Andrews University and licensed by the Presbytery of St. Andrews. Mr Ireland became assistant at Greenock. He preached a farewell sermon at the Waverley Hall, West Burn Street 2 November 1874. He also was assistant at St Johns in Glasgow and later Bothwell Parish. Ordained to Whitburn Church on 11 May 1876. He married on 7 September 1887 to Charlotte, daughter of Alexander Falconer, minister of Denny.

They had four children:
Charlotte born 6 October 1889 and John Balfour born 13 May 1891. The Rev. John Balfour Ireland became a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) and was killed in action 8 September 1916 age 25.
Eliza Ann, born 6 March 1893.
Alexander Falconer, born 17 November 1894, but died 17 April 1914.
Charlotte (his daughter) died 7 August 1928.
His widow, Charlotte Chalmers Reid Falkner was killed in a motor accident at Newark on 22 August 1939.
He died on 7 July 1917, age 71 and is buried at the Old Monkland Cemetery.

Rev. Thomas Hislop (Circa 1876 – November 1877)

The Rev. Thomas Hislop was the next Missionary Minister appointed by the Bothwell Parish Church and served under Rev. Dr John Pagan. He arrives circa 1876, again another young man in his late 20s, staying only a short time, departing when he was ordained to Dalziel Old Parish Church, Windmillhill, Motherwell on 10 November 1877. He must have made a huge impression on his congregation as on his departure he was gifted a harmonica (costing £50 which was a considerable sum in those days) in appreciation for his missionary services in the area.

A brief personal history of the Rev. Hislop. He was born in Old Stane, Shotts, on 31 March 1846, son of James Affleck Hislop and Catherine Russell. Educated at Glengarnock School, North Ayrshire, where he also served as a pupil teacher for five years and then attended University of Glasgow Divinity Hall . Licences by the Presbytery of Greenock on 4 December 1872, then became assistant at St. Stephens Glasgow and subsequently at Bothwell Parish, where he served the Nackery Mission and surrounding area. Ordained Minister to Dalziel old Parish Church on 10 November 1877, where he became the first minister of the parish  in 1880. Subsequently transferred to Bridgeton  and ordained there on 18 February 1883. 

On 20 June 1884 at 134 Aitkenhead Road, Glasgow, he assisted the Rev. Robert Mitchell in the marriage of his sister, Agnes Hislop (youngest Daughter of James Affleck Hislop and Catherine Hislop) to Joseph Graham, Headmaster, Muir Street School, Motherwell. He retired in 1923 but continued to stay in the Bridgeton area. The Rev Hislop attended his Jubilee on 1927, age 80. 

He never married and died at his home, 17 Monteith Row, Bridgeton on  11 January 1929, age 82. He left an estate value of £6725, quite a considerable sum in these days. He is buried at Kilbirnie churchyard, location of grave as yet unknown.

Rev. George Caldwell (Circa 1877 – 1891)

Little is known about Rev. George Caldwell during his time at Bothwell Parish, however his time was recorded in appreciation in the 1892 Bothwell Parish Church Annual Report.

It was during the Rev. Caldwell tenure at Nackerty Mission that must have inspired his congregation and subsequently the Mission Managers (the 7-man ‘Zealous Deputation’) that were dispatched to the Bothwell Parish Manse in the early Summer of 1891 to meet the Rev. Dr. John Pagan, Minister. He asked them to write a letter laying down their concerns and requests and send it to the Bothwell Parish Church Kirk Session, and in doing so, this kick started the efforts in building the current church, Thornwood Mission and subsequently Viewpark Parish Church.

It was also recorded that he was a keen golfer and held the position of Vice President of Symington Golf Club in 1906, a 9 hole golf club that is now de-funked.

Rev. George Caldwell was born in Kirkintiilloch on 24 January 1858, son of James Caldwell and Mary Logan. Educated at Lenzie Academy and then Glasgow University. Licensed by the Presbytery of Glasgow in 1881 assistant at Bothwell. Ordained to Symington on 11 November 1891. Married 30 June 1896 to Margaret Anne, daughter of Robert MacDonald of Fredericktown, Canada and had two sons James Robert MacDonald Caldwell, born 23 December 1898 and George Frederick Arthur Caldwell, born 8 September 1903.

Rev. George Caldwell died 22 May 1927. And is possibly buried in the Churchyard in Symington.
His Son James Robert MacDonald Caldwell 2nd Lieutenant R.F.A. was killed in action on 27 October 1918
There is a Plaque inside the Church in Symington that reads:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE
REVEREND GEORGE CALDWELL
MINISTER OF THIS CHURCH
1891 – 1922
ERECTED IN REMEMBRANCE OF
HIS LONG AND FAITHFUL MINISTRY
THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY BUT
HE THAT DOES THE WILL OF GOD
ABIDETH FOR EVER

Rev. David Ness M.A (January 1892 – August 1894)
(First Minister of Thornwood Mission Church)
Born 16 April 1863 at East Wemyss, Fife, son of William Ness and Helen Terrace. The family later moved to Railway Place, Cupar where he was educated in Cupar and Kirkcaldy Schools and University of St Andrews; M.A. (1885); was a teacher for a time at Kirkcaldy West Public School, licences by Presbytery of Kirkcaldy in 1889; assistant at Saughtree, Castleton, Roxburghshire under the Rev. William Vassie in December 1889, leaving in January 1892, to join Nackerty Mission in the Parish of Bothwell under Rev. Dr. John Pagan.

Ordained to the then new Thornwood Mission Church circa 1893.
He was also known to preach at the Old Hall Russell Place (still exists at the top of Spindlehowe Road) prior to taking up the position in Thornwood Mission.

Transferred to Whiteinch Parish Church, (now demolished to make way for the north entrance of the Clyde Tunnel) and Ordained 28th August 1894.
Married 29th June 1899 to Mary Adam, daughter of James Adam.
Lived at 19 Park Grove, Govan (c. 1895 and 1905) then moved to 3 Park Corner, Govan (c. 1905 and 1914) and later moved to 3 Victoria Park, Corner, Govan between (c. 1915 and 1925).
Appointed Grand Master in the Orange Lodge 1910 – 1925.
Transferred to Cardross 8th December 1932,
Died 01 December 1935 (age 73) possibly in Cardross Church Cemetery.
His widow Mary Adam died 25 December 1945.

Rev. Rr John Pagan
(Bothwell Parish Church Minister)

Viewpark Parish Church

On 2 May 1933, Thornwood Mission Church, Bothwell Park UF Church and Aitkenhead UF Church united to form Viewpark Parish Church.  The Church as it is now along with the Small Hall was the former Thornwood Church and Hall and Viewpark still uses the Communion plates and goblets from Thornwood.  The other 2 churches remained in use as hall accommodation.  The Manse in Holmbrae Road is the former Manse of Aitkenhead Church.

In 1958 the former Aitkenhead accommodation was purchased by Caterpillar as part of the factory grounds.  Caterpillar also contributed towards the erection of the Large Hall and associated accommodation which dates from that time. In 2007/2008 following damage to the original 1893 roof, the Sanctuary was repaired and refurbished at a cost of around £250,000 as Phase I of the View 21 Project.

In 2011/12 the link between the Sanctuary and the Large Hall was demolished and the area infilled with new accommodation, including the View Café, at a cost of about £675,000 (for details see the View21 page).

Ministers of Pre Unification Churches

Nackerty Mission (Aitkenhead Works School)

• Rev. John Alexander Ireland, Circa 1866 to May 1876 (d. 7 June 1917)
• Rev. Thomas Hislop, Circa 1876 to November 1877 (d. 11 January 1929)
• Rev. George Caldwell, Circa 1877 to November 1891 (d. 22 May 1927)
• Rev. David Ness, Circa 1893 to August 1894 (d. 1 December 1935) – assistant and susses to Thornwood Mission Church

Bothwell Park UF Church

• Rev. John Robert Bruce, 10 August 1899 to 25 October 1914
• Rev. George Stewart, Dem. December 1914, Retired 31 December 1932 (d. 20 March 1935)

Aitkenhead UF Church (pre 02 May 1933)

• Rev. William Taylor, Dem. 1905, Retired 26 June 1933 (d. 01 June 1937)

Thornwood Mission Church

• Rev. David Ness, Circa 1893 to July 1894 (d. 1 December 1935)
• Rev. William Henry Shannon, August 1894 to December 1899
• Rev. Robert Henry MacKay, May 1899 to May 1901 (d. 9 April 1935)
• Rev. John Anderson, July 1901 – April 1903
• Rev. Alexander Colin Henderson, May 1903 to April 1904 (d. 1 July 1925)
• Rev. John Sutherland (Sunny) Hunter, July 1905 to October 1910
• Mr. John Bell, Circa 1910 to November 1914
• Rev. Andrew Muir, February 1915 to 1916
• Mr. David Johnston, (Acting Missionary) September 1918 to Circa 1925
• Rev. Hugh Tolland, Circa 1925 to Circa 1930 (d. 30 December 1969)
• Mr. James W Martin, (Missionary) 1932 to Retired 1933 (he Retired to make away for a New Minister)

Ministers of Viewpark Parish Church

•  Rev. William Taylor (Moderated till a full time minister was found) Minister for Aitkenhead UF Church 02 May 1933, Retired 26 June 1933 (d. June 1937)
• Rev. William Hamilton, Ord and Ind. 24 October 1933, Trans to Pollok Street, Glasgow, 31 May 1942
• Rev. William Paul Monteath M.A., Ord and Ind. 27 January 1943, Trans to Thornliebank Spiersbridge, Glasgow, 10 June 1949
• Rev. Alexander Maxwell Duff, Ord and Ind. 07 December 1949, Trans to Penilee St. Andrew’s, Hillington, 17 April 1957
• Rev. John Ritchie May, Ord and Ind. 24 September 1957, Trans to Rothesay West, Isle of Bute, 7 June 1967
• Rev. George Kidd Barr, Ord and Ind. 29 November 1967, Retired 27 June 1993 (d. 2016)
• Rev. Scott Stein McKenna, Ord and Ind. 27 January 1994, Trans to Mayfield Salisbury, Edinburgh 10 October 2000
• Rev. Michael Gerrard Lyall, Ind. 28 June 2001 – Present Day