 There is a tradition that, in very early times, a monk came from Newbattle Abbey, bearing a consecrated stone. As a penance he was instructed to carry to a certain spot on the lands of Sidetonhaugh, or Sedgie Ha, with a view to its forming the foundation of a church in that locality As he came past High Cross, being attracted by a cross believed to have stood there, and which gave the name to the lands, he inquired the name of the place. Being told that it was High Cross, he said, "Then I am near my journey's end."He sat down near a farm house to rest a little. He had not been long there when he heard the farmer call to the lad, bidding him to go to "Sedgie Ha'" (a field near by) and bring home the horse. On hearing the name of the field the monk started to his feet, took up the stone, and went with the lad to the place indicated. He set down the stone, said that his journey was ended and his penance accomplished. He was then within a few hundred yards of where the church of Old Monkland now stands. This became the site of the Old Monkland church. |
The statue
in the
picture was
erected on
the corner
of Woodside
Road and
Lismore
Drive in
2004.
|
 |
|
This is believed to be the actual stone which is currently inside the church. |
 |
The Old Manse 1
The Old Manse 2
The field to the rear of the manse - nearest camera - was known as The Glebe - now Brandon Way.
Mr. James Baird remembers seeing long ago a stone, said to have been the one brought by the monk. It was then inside the church. The name of the original church-the one founded by the monk-was Badermonoc, under which name it was confirmed to the see of Glasgow, among the bishop's mensal churches, by Pope Alexander III., in the year 1170.
The present is believed to be the third church which has been built at Old Monkland. It was built in 1790 at a cost of only £500, and, as since enlarged, contains 902 sittings. The name of Monkland as attached to the land, first occurs in a deed, by Walter the Steward, in favour of the monks, in 1323; but the name, as applied to the church, occurs for the first time in a deed by the vicar of Calder, who was also vicar of Monkland, in 1509.
In 1780, The
Reverend John Bower,
Minister of Old
Monkland, received
notice from "Sir
John Sinclair,"
asking for details
of his Parish, as
did every Minister
in Scotland.
Collectively these
were called "The
Statistical Account
of Scotland."
He described Old
Monkland as an
immense garden with
its fields and
orchards, and the
rivers abounding
with salmon and
trout. The stone
is mentioned in his
Account.
John Bower married Mr. and Mrs. Baird, the father and mother of the Gartsherrie family, and baptized all their ten children. He died in 1820, having been minister of the parish for about forty years.
Referring to the drawing of which the accompanying plate is a copy, Mr. Baird writes,- "It represents Old Monkland Kirk, with the school house and Kirkstyle, very much as they were in the beginning of the present century.
The building in front of the church is what was the school house and teacher's house. At this school almost all the Baird family received a part of their education. The two story house on the right is the Kirkstyle then a sort of rustic inn, which was an appendage of every country church, and which was frequently the only inn in the parish.
This view is
taken from the bottom of the hill at the old Kirkstyle cottages. These cottages were named as such because of the proximity to the church Gate - Kirkstyle! C1860. They were also named Douglas Cottages being part of the Douglas Support estate.
These cottages are no longer there and the right side of the picture is now occupied by Forsyths Fruit & Veg Merchants. -The Old Monkland Cemetery is on the left.- note the old greenhouse. Directly opposite the Old Monkland Church Gate is a more modern row of 4 Cottages (c1904) - also formally named Kirkstyle Cottages.
Recent photo 2008 - the Church is hidden by trees - note the cars at the entrance
0ld Monkland Kirk
©by Douglas Longmuir
Not far from where the big wheel turned
The Luggie's old time Mill
Along the road Old Monkland Kirk
Stands halfway down the hill
Where farmers’ horses once were tied
To rings upon the wall
The Kirk bells chimed, while people walked
Responding to their call.
The ministers with voices raised
Who guided us in prayer
Fulfilled their calling to the Lord
And preached his message there
Now Elders serve in many ways
And all the groups take part
The organ speaks in harmony
With music in our heart,
Here many generations lie
Within its hallowed ground
There on the stones the ageing names
Of bygone lives are found
Time marches on, these changes come
No power can halt its flight
We have our day, and walk this way
Then pass into the night.
Old Monkland Kirk has stood so long
And weathered thro' the years
Embracing countless memories
Of joys, and hopes, and fears
And while its people sing his praise
And pray for everyone
The old grey steeples westward gaze
Still greets the setting sun.
Read the Scottish War Memorials Project for information on the War memorials near the pulpit and in the chancel of the Kirk.
