Laigh Kirk, Paisley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paisley Laigh Kirk (Now in Union to form Stow Brae Kirk) |
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| 55°50′28″N 4°25′30″W / 55.841°N 4.425°W | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Churchmanship | Presbyterian |
| Website | The Laigh Kirk Website |
| History | |
| Founded | 1738 |
| Associated people | Rev John Witherspoon |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Greenock and Paisley |
The Laigh Kirk, Paisley was an important church in Paisley, Scotland. It was part of the Church of Scotland. For a long time, it served as the main church for the town, which was known as a Burgh back then.
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History of Paisley's Laigh Kirk
The Laigh Kirk was started in August 1738. The town of Paisley and the local church leaders (called the Presbytery) created it. They needed a new church because Paisley's population was growing fast. Also, the old Paisley Abbey was in bad shape and outside the town limits.
In 1738, Paisley became its own church area, separate from the larger old parish. This new area was called the "Parish of the Burgh of Paisley."
Growing with Paisley: New Churches
As Paisley kept growing, the Laigh Kirk parish became too big. So, in 1756 and again in 1781, new churches were created. These were the High Kirk and the Middle Kirk. All three churches worked together to serve the community.
The first Laigh Kirk building was on New Street. But by 1820, the church had so many members that it needed a bigger space. So, the Laigh Kirk moved to a much larger building on George Street.
The Church Splits and Reunites
The Laigh Kirk continued to grow. It even helped start a new church called the South Church on Neilston Road. This new church began as a "Chapel of Ease." This meant it was a smaller church linked to the main Laigh Kirk.
However, in 1843, a big event happened in the Church of Scotland. It was called the Disruption of 1843. Many churches, including the South Church, left the main Church of Scotland. They joined a new group called the Free Church of Scotland. The South Church became known as the Free South Church.
It took over 140 years for these churches to come back together! In 1985, the Laigh Kirk (then called St George's Low) and the Free South Church (then called St Andrew's) reunited. The name Laigh Kirk was used again. The reunited church met in the building that was originally the Free South Church on Causeyside Street.
Joining Forces: Stow Brae Kirk
On January 6, 2011, the Laigh Kirk joined with another church, the Castlehead Church of Scotland. The new church is now called Stow Brae Kirk. It holds its services in the former Laigh Kirk buildings on Causeyside Street.
Laigh Kirk and Helping the Poor
In the early 1800s, Paisley's cotton trade faced big problems. Many people lost their jobs. The Laigh Kirk and the town leaders disagreed about who should get help. Back then, the Scottish Poor Laws mainly helped people who were too sick or old to work.
The church found it hard to help everyone who was unemployed but still able to work. This financial crisis for the church and town led to the government stepping in. It played a big part in changing the old Poor Laws.
Reverend Robert Burns' Role
The minister at the time, Rev Robert Burns, became very important in helping the poor. He wrote a famous book about the laws for the poor in Scotland. Many people used his ideas to argue for changes. He even went to London four times to ask the government for help.
Church Buildings Over Time
The Laigh Kirk used several buildings throughout its history.
The first building on New Street was later changed. In the 1980s, it became the Paisley Arts Centre. It is still used today for arts and performances.
The St George's (Low) building was also changed. In the late 1980s, it was turned into apartments called St George's Court flats. The outside of the building was kept the same, but the inside was completely redone.
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Original Laigh Kirk building, now Paisley Arts Centre
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St George's Low, Paisley, now apartments
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Free South, Paisley, now Stow Brae Kirk
Important Ministers of Laigh Kirk
Many important people served as ministers at the Laigh Kirk.
- One very famous minister was Rev John Witherspoon. He was born in 1723. He later moved to America. There, he became a very important person. He even signed the United States Declaration of Independence! He represented the state of New Jersey.
- Rev Robert Burns was another key minister. He worked hard to help people who were suffering and pushed for social changes.
- The last minister of the Laigh Kirk was Rev David Thom. He is now the minister of the new united church, Stow Brae Kirk.
