For
fast access click on the item you're most interested
in
(otherwise
you can scroll through everything!)
Church Buildings & History
"Carnoustie has a
Church that any community might be proud of: a beautiful
example of Norman architecture, lofty of roof and equipped
with aisles and a gallery, which alone seats 250. High arches
spring from massive pillars on the east, and lower arches
line the west nave, beyond which a narrower aisle is seen. As
one looks down the Church from the south door, into the deep
choir behind which steps go up to the Communion Table, a
feeling of the vastness of the sanctuary is aroused. Verily
it was in the hearts of that generation to build a house to
the name of the Lord their God, and right worthily did they
do it".
Baillie - "The Old Parish Church of Carnoustie"
The church building,
pictured and described above, was designed by the famous
Scottish architect, Peter McGregor Chalmers, and was opened
for worship in 1902. It replaced the former Parish Church
which was located on the opposite side of the main street on
the site now occupied by the Army Cadet Force and Air
Training Corps Drill Hall. A few yards further East, on the
ground now housing the Carnoustie Health Centre, stood the
old Free Church of Carnoustie, later called St. Stephen's
Church. That structure was demolished in 1976 subsequent to
the re-union in 1969 of the two congregations which had
separated at the Disruption of 1843.
The side chapel in the
north-east portion of Carnoustie Church has been designated
St. Stephen's Chapel and contains furnishings and photographs
of the former Free Church. The St. Stephen's chapel was fully
refurbished early in 2000 - the pews were removed and
carpeting and comfortable individual seats installed. Banners
made by our banner group now hang here also.
The Church Hall, the
"Philip
Hall", sits adjacent to
the Church, just across Dundee Street. It is used by the
congregation for a variety of purposes such as Sunday School,
committee meetings, the holiday club, organisation meetings,
social evenings and coffee mornings. It is also available for
community use for a small charge.
This resource is well appointed and contains a large hall
with stage; smaller ante- room; the Duthie Room; modern fully
fitted kitchen; and all the usual facilities.
Back to Index
Children's Ministry
SUNDAY SCHOOL
classes are held on a Sunday morning from 10:00 a.m., with
the children starting in the Morning Service. A children's
section is always included (apart from communion Sundays).
The children leave for their classes following this point in
the service. The teaching material used is "SALT",
produced by Scripture Union.
|
|
A CRECHE
is available during the morning service (11:00 a.m.).
Youngsters are made welcome by voluntary staff in a
recently refurbished and homely room within the main
church building. Parents attending the service are
easily accessible if required. |
A week-long fun-filled HOLIDAY
CLUB for children of (approximately) primary school
age is held annually.
Note: In
line with Church of Scotland Policy, all adults who work with
children are subject to the checks and procedures outlined in
the church's Child Protection Policy.
Back to Index
The Guild
The Guild meets every
second Wednesday (September - April) at 7.30pm in the Philip
Hall. Assistance with transport is
available for frail members.
The Guild aims "to
unite the women of the church in the dedication of their
lives to the Lord Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship
and service". Here at Carnoustie Church the Guild try to
follow that example and in so-doing members find, also,
friendship and enjoyment in all they do together. Members
find much to do and try to share their enthusiasm with the
congregation as a whole.
Currently the Guild has
39 active members. A very warm welcome awaits all who are
interested in joining them.
Church
Music & The Choir
Church Music
Carnoustie Church
possesses an excellent pipe organ, of which more information
follows.
The Church of Scotland's Revised Hymnary
(CH4) is used at the morning service with occasional additional songs
being introduced from other sources.
The
Organ
The organ in Carnoustie
Parish Church was built and installed by H.S.Vincent & Co.,
of Sunderland. Unusually for this period, some of the
pipework appears to be of German origin. There is some
evidence that some components of the instrument date from
thirty years previous, although whether they were ever in
another instrument is not known. The organ blower (originally
water-driven) was converted to electricity in 1965, but this
was the only work carried out on the organ other than tuning
until 1972. In that year, Rushworth & Dreaper cleaned and
overhauled the instrument. By the mid-1980s however, it was
becoming clear that major work was required. With Dundee City
Organist Robert Lightband as consultant, John Lightbown of
Whitley Bay was given the contract to completely rebuild the
instrument in 1989, at the cost of £50,000. Electropneumatic
action was fitted along with a handsome new console. The
whole organ was completely overhauled, with new slider
soundboards being manufactured and sound deflectors
positioned. Considerable tonal alterations also took place in
order to enhance the instrument's presence down the church.
New pipework was installed in all divisions, including a
stunning 16' Trombone on the pedal organ. The organ was re-opened
and rededicated at a special service on 20th October 1989.
Recently, Brindley & Foster pedal pipework from the
former Arbroath Old church became available. The opportunity
was taken to obtain these in autumn 1999, replacing the weak
and poor Sub Bass and Open Diapason ranks on the Pedal organ.
The new pipework is of excellent quality and has transformed
the organ, giving it much greater presence and definition in
the church. Two new stops were added a bold 8' Octave, and a
32' Acoustic Bass was created, massively underpinning the
whole ensemble to create a magnificent organ, capable of the
entire organ repertoire, and ideal for leading God's people
in praise.
Click here
if you wish to view the organ specification - or visit the
website of the
National Pipe Organ
Register.
For
details of organ recitals, visit www.organrecitals.com
The Choir
Carnoustie church has a
well established, well balanced adult choir of some 20
persons consisting of 5 Sopranos, 7 Contraltos, 3 Tenors and
4 Bass.
The Choir leads the congregation in worship at the 10.00 a.m.
service each Sunday, singing an introit each week and an
anthem on appropriate occasions. It also aids worship in
special ways. An example of this is that for the past 25
years the choir has presented a Cantata on Good Friday, from
the ancient John Stainer's "Crucifixion" to the
modern "Hail Redeemer",
At Christmas a special carol service is held, the offering
being distributed to local charities. Moreover, a small
section of the choir have formed themselves into a small
group, entertaining in Residential and Nursing Homes in the
Parish.
The choir practises every Thursday Evening from 7.15 p.m. - 9.00p.m.,
from September till May and they are always looking for new
members.
Flower Committee
The flower committee
consists of 12 ladies who have been arranging the church
flowers for many years. The flowers are donated each week by
members of the congregation and arranged by members of the
flower committee for display during public worship.
At the close of each
service committee members on duty make a number of small
bouquets and deliver them to members of the congregation who
may be housebound, ill, or suffering bereavement. Names are
suggested by the minister and the flowers are much
appreciated by recipients.
Banner Group
The banner group have
become very proficient over the years and have gifted the
church with a good number of banners which celebrate the
seasons of the year, the Christian calendar, sacraments and
special occasions.
The
Banner Group Portfolio
