Cumbernauld Old Parish Church

Worship Times

Parish Church

Sundays at 10.15am

Forge, Balloch

Sundays at 11.45am

Any changes to these times, e.g. for special Sundays, will be intimated on our home page

Minister: Rev. Catriona Ogilvie

01236 721912

Deacon: Valerie Cuthbertson

01698 259001

350th Anniversary Commemorative Pulpit Fall

Our new pulpit fall was unveiled and dedicated at our 350th Anniversary service on Sunday 7th June 2009 and has been the subject of much comment and praise.

This specially commissioned pulpit fall was designed and stitched by Maggie Dobie. A graduate in weaving and embroidery from Glasgow School of Art, Maggie is currently engaged in restorative work for the famous Burrell Collection having recently completed a lengthy stint restoring and repairing exhibits in preparation for the re-siting of the Glasgow Museum of Transport.

The design of the fall cleverly reflects aspects of the history of Cumbernauld as well as incorporating features particular to the Old Parish Church.

The name Cumbernauld, from Cumer-nan-alt, the meeting of the waters, is reflected in the waves of silver threads at the top and bottom of the fall, swirling together to form the commemorative dates 2009 and 1659.

The Celtic cross borrows its design from the cross worked in cobbled paving at the entrance to the church.

The background colour was chosen to reflect the colour of the sky and to compliment the rainbow colours, woven together with gold, at the ends of the cross.

The rainbow colours represent the Rainbow Services held annually in the church and the weaving is representative of the weavers of the 18th century who lived and worked in Cumbernauld.

Embroidered within the four quadrants of the cross are the much loved cherry trees found around the church building, as they appear through-out the seasons. The winter one has ribbons tied to its branches as is done for the Rainbow Services.

The side panels are shaded to reflect the colours of the building's stonework, graded in shade to record the additions to the original building and the dates of the ministers of the church are recorded thereon.

The fall is a fitting commemoration of 350 years of continuous worship and a most beautiful addition to the church.