I’m New

WELCOME

We are the Parish Church for Bishopton and worship on this site has been taking place within this church building since 1815. Prior to that there had been a religious presence on this site for several centuries and our parish was one of the original parishes of the Presbytery of Paisley when it was constituted in 1590, after the Reformation in 1560.

Our Sunday Services start at 11.00 am and last for approximately one hour. Communion is celebrated four times a year, in February, May, August and October, plus an extra communion service on Maundy Thursday at Easter. Early Bird services are held in The Cornerstone on the 1st Sunday of every month in addition to our regular service, unless otherwise stated. Please see the Newsy Mail for up-to-date service information.

On arrival at the front door you will be greeted by our Welcome Team. Please make yourself known to them as ‘new to our church’ and introduce yourself to others in the pew. Church intimations are included on the large TV screens at the front of the church.

Inside

The church is a side-aisle church with the pew rows in the centre, these two aisles leading to the chancel, which is that part of the church containing the Communion Table, the Choir and the Pulpit.   The organ sits at the base of the pulpit.

The upstairs gallery, which can be seen in the photograph adjacent, has a ‘semi-circular’ seated area which has several small family style booths … and there is a traditional seated pew area at the rear.

Disabled Access and Facilities

The church has external access for the disabled via a stair-lift.   Within the downstairs pews there are two areas designated for wheelchair users and in addition there is also a disabled toilet facility and a hearing loop system.

Children

Children are viewed as paramount to the well-being of our church and we have an enthusiastic group called ‘Sunday Kidz’. Apart from the first Sunday of the month, the SK children meet at the church steps OR at the SK Corner in the Extension Hall just before 1100. The group then proceed to the church sanctuary with the SK leaders, Linda / Janice / Laura. After Yvonne’s worship introduction the children return to the Extension Hall to take part in SK activities.

SK activities are aimed generally at children in the Primary 1-7 age group: pre-school children are also most welcome, and appropriate toys/mats can be provided. Parents or guardians of the pre-school children are, of course, welcome to stay with their children.  On the FIRST SUNDAY of each month children are welcome to attend the Early Bird Service in The Cornerstone at 0930. At this service children should be accompanied by parents / family member

Church Flowers

Each week an arrangement of fresh flowers is placed in the sanctuary, this frequently being provided by a church member in memory of a loved one.   At the end of the morning service the flowers are removed, re-arranged into smaller bunches and delivered to members of the congregation who are either ill, housebound, bereaved or whom we wish to remember for some other reason e.g. a special anniversary.

Singing and Music

We have an excellent mixed choir supported by our organist, this making for a full and uplifting experience.   Our services start with an introit from the choir and normally include 4 or 5 hymns, sometimes interspaced by additional music/songs depending on the occasion.   The words for the hymns and songs are projected onto the screens.   The words for the hymns are also available in book form from the Welcome Team, this being in either normal print, large print … and with music.   Occasionally, we have the added enjoyment of having our Church Praise Band accompanying the organ and choir.