The Brethern

Think of the Brethern in Maddiston and one name springs to mind, James Black. Jimmy, who hailed from Airdrie, came to Maddiston to work at Manualrigg Coillery as an office boy, then became a miner there until its closure in the nineteen twenties, he then became the Absentee Officer for Muiravonside School Board.

Jimmy preached the gospel for so many years in the hall down the Coal Road that the hall became known as "Jimmy Blacks' Hall", Jimmy was also a tireless worker on behalf of Polmont Borstal and received the British Empire Medal for his services to that place.Davie Anderson was the Sunday school superintendent. meetings were also held throughout the villages, many remember the men in black suits, bowler hats, and umbrellas (God's work won't wait for the sun to shine).

The Faith Mission

Fred Dougall began the faith mission at the corner of Greenhithe and Carron Terrace; Fred was a lay preacher (originally a Methodist). Pilgrims from Ireland came over to help Fred in his mission; they set up a marquee at the putting green in Brightons (where Dr. Erskines’ house was built - the corner of Main St. and Station Rd.) They went round the villages playing concertinas, singing, and inviting people to their open-air conventicles.Fred Dougal and John Anderson preached here every Sunday. The Sunday school was run by Brightons Church; Mr. Raeside who was the Headmaster of Redding School oversaw the Sunday school. Pilgrims, mostly from Ireland came here; they were mostly female and wore felt hats of the type seen in medieval paintings.

Evangelical

Dennis Barnes came to the village periodically and pitched his marquee at the I.L.P. hall, he and his wife, Hetty Baxter, travelled the country in a caravan. Denis was born in Dumfriesshire and became a boxer, amateur then professional, moved to Birmingham, started up boys’ clubs and then seems to have travelled round preaching the word of God to the general populace

Religion

Muiravonside parish, like many others, had a diverse range of faiths within its boundaries. This reflects the rich cultural and religious tapestry of the community, with people of different beliefs coexisting and contributing to the vibrant social fabric of the area. The presence of multiple faiths also serves as a reminder of the importance of tolerance and understanding in a multi-faith society, where individuals are free to practice their own beliefs while respecting those of others. The diversity of faiths in Muiravonside parish undoubtedly adds to the unique character and inclusive nature of the community, fostering a sense of unity and cooperation among its residents.

Church of Scotland

Maddiston (along with the rest of the parish of Muiravonside) was originally in the Parish of Falkirk although according to a Papal mandate dated 1454 "the chapel at this place (Manuell) has from time immemorial had cemetery, baptistry, chrism vase, burial place and priest ". The mandate gave the people of the district the right to elect a clerk-minister to assist the priest, but whether he was assisting the priest at the chapel in the castle of Haining or at the nunnery at Manuell is not clear.

The Nunnery at Manuell (The church of the Cistercian Nunnery of Emanuell) was founded by David 1 (1124-53) but the name seems to point to an earlier foundation.

The last prioress was Jean Livingston, around 1560, the most part of the building and the cemetery was washed away in a flood in 1783.

The original parish church of Muiravonside was founded in 1648 and the present church seems to be built on the site of the former, the Old Statistical Account describes as "old" a church building standing in the old kirkyard. No ruins or foundations of a former church have been found anywhere in the Parish. The belfry and bell (with the inscription "For the Kirk of Muiravonside John Meikle Me Fecit / Edinburgh 1699) on the present church (built in 1806) predate it and almost certainly belong to the earlier one.

In 1947, it was found that wood-worm and dry-rot had so badly infested the building that com[lete internal restoration was necessary.A new vestibule was added at the east end of the vestry and session house, the old session house which stood at the gateway to the church being demolished. A carved stone cross, again of earlier origin than the session house which it surmounted was places above the east wing of the church.

In 1980, the Double manual Trayser Harmonium, gifted by Mrs. Brown of Vellore was replaces by an Omegan electronic organ.

The church is almost barn like in construction and before being refurbished in 1955 the pulpit was situated in the centre of the South side wall, with the pews on three sides and a semi-circular gallery on the East-North and West side.

Now the church has an aisle running East West with the pulpit and chancel placed at the West end gable which also houses a decorative window giving the date of renovation.

A most attractive feature of the church is the stained glass windows commemorating the ministry of the Rev. George Keith, M.A.,B.D. 1871-1884.

After the building of Cairneymount the morning service was held here, Sandy Spence calling the faithful to worship every Sunday morning at 11 by ringing that bell which had been calling their forebears since 1699.

The interior after restorations in 1955

The Ministry

CHURCH REGISTER

Unknown.................................................................................................................1648-1690

Rev. Donald Campbell, M.A......................................................................................1691-1695

Rev.Andrew Bennett.................................................................................... ............1696-1720

Rev. Robert Boyd M.A..................................................................................... .........1721-1767

Rev. John Bertram.....................................................................................................1768-1802

Rev. William McCall..................................................................................... ............1803-1833

Rev. James McFarlan.................................................................................................1834-1870

Rev. George Keith, M.A.,B.D.....................................................................................1871-1884

Rev. Oswald Bell........................................................................................................1885-1896

Rev.David Bayne, B.D................................................................................................1897-1940

Rev. James Hamilton.................................................................................................1940-1952

Rev.James C. Downie, M.A.,B.D........................ .......................................................1952-1966

Rev. Duncan G. McPherson.......................................................................................1967-1975

Rev. Richard A. Goodman..............

Rev. James Hamilton

Rev. David Bayne

Rev. Duncan g McPheson

Rev. Richard A Goodman