The Genesis and Exodus

The Church of Scotland suffered its first great split in 1733, when the Erkines seceded and formed the nucleus of a rapidly growing body of Dissenters. Airdrie had its quota of Seceders and by 1789 there were enough of them to set-up a Secession Congregation in the town itself. Their place of worship was in the Well Wynd, where the former Wellwynd Church stands.

They were a stern, uncompromising lot and had differences of opinions. These came to a head with the battle between the Auld Lichts and the New Lichts, and when the Auld Lichts were outvoted the only thing for them to do was to separate from their brethren and start their own congregation.

By 1804 they had chosen their site for a church, on a bit of land feued from Patrick Waddell of Bogo on the Broomknowe, and there they started building for the future.

Broomknoll: The First Fifty Years

By the year 1806 there was a Church, a Congregation and a Kirk Session; all that was needed to establish a proper worshipping community was a Minister. Unanimously the congregation chose Rev. Robert Torrance, a probationer aged 26. The call was subscribed by 80 members and 18 adherent on August 13th, the great day of the Ordination dawned, and the Broomknowe Kirk had its first minister.

Unions and Divisions: The Congregation was originally an “Associate Congregation” of the Secession. But, during the first 50 years it twice changed its denomination. It was favourably impressed by an approach from the Church of Scotland about union, and after a great deal of discussion did in fact become a Parish Kirk in September 1839. This experience of being an Established Church was to be short lived, for the Disruption came along in 1843, and Broomknoll became a Free Church.

During this period there were three ministries – Robert Torrance, Rev. James Finlay and that of Rev. James McGown.

Broomknoll: The Second Fifty Years

Shortly after the beginning of the second period, there was a prolonged vacancy. The Kirk was in a poor state, and for about three years there was considerable doubt about its future. However, there were some staunch members, who persuaded the Hamilton Presbytery to give Broomknoll another chance.

On January 10th, 1867, a young man called William Reid was Ordained and Inducted to the Charge and that was a day of new beginning for Broomknoll. Never again was it in jeopardy, but rather it made steady determined progress. When, after 47 years at the helm, he retired in 1914 he left a congregation vastly different from that which he had found.

The second period of the Congregation’s life is largely the story of William Reid’s work and service of his Master.

New Buildings: In 1874 Mr. Reid and his family moved into the New Manse which had just been built in Alexander Street at a cost of £1,593 6s. 5 1/4d. This was a proud time for both minister and people, as this manse replaced the previous rented accommodation.

In 1837 the old church, which was as plain as a church could be, was extended. Forty years later it was obvious that it would last no longer. In March 1888, the Congregation worshipped for the last time in the original Broomknoll building – which had seen Airdrie grow from a hamlet to a town. In May 1889 the new suite of buildings was opened for worship, and Broomknoll was in existence. The new church cost about £2,400.

A Fourth Name – Broomknoll U.F. Church: The Congregation on the Broomknowe had already had three names – Associate Congregation of Airdrie, Broomknoll Parish Church and Broomknoll Free Church. In 1900 the Free Kirk and the United Presbyterian Kirk came together in union, so by the time of its centenary a fourth name was in use – Broomknoll United Free Church.

Broomknoll: The Third Fifty Years

During the first hundred years of Broomknoll it had but four Ministers – during the next fifty it had five others – a sign perhaps of the less settled nature of the times in the life of the Church, or of a different conception of the value of the ministry on the part of the people. Ministers during this period were: Rev. Joseph Gray, Rev. James McLauchlan, Rev. D. Gordon Carmichael, Rev. Arch. Bell and Rev. John W. Waddell.

A Fifth Name – Broomknoll Parish Church: When in 1929 the United Free Church and the Church of Scotland united, Broomknoll was once again part of the ‘established church’ and was once again a Parish Kirk bearing the name – Broomknoll Parish Church.

In 1939 further building works were carried out. These works included the building of a Session Room and Ministers Vestry which were built on to the west gable of the Church.

The tempo of civilised life seemed to increase tremendously during the half century 1904-1954, and in the rapidly developing Burgh of Airdrie life was getting steadily busier. It followed that, in the still growing congregation of Broomknoll, there would be a heightening of activity and a more complex organisation, with more and yet more complex organisations in operation.

When Broomknoll achieved its 150th birthday in 1954 its membership, which had been under 200 when Rev. William Reid was inducted, had reached 813. The Sunday School – with four departments – had over 300 pupils, with a staff of 41.

The Forth Fifty Years

During the next period the congregation continued to rise peaking at around 900 in the late 1970s. By the new millennium the numbers had fallen to cerca 450.

Although the Membership Roll has slowly decreased, the life of the congregation and its organisations continued to thrive and grow with strong Adult and Youth Organisations which were are at the Heart of both Kirk and Community.

Again, during these Fifty Years, Broomknoll had another five ministries. All unique and all equally interesting.

• During the Ministry of Rev James Fraser of the mid 1950’s, further expansions were made to the property. The Large Hall with stage, 2 Ante Rooms, a Modern Kitchen, Toilets and numerous storage areas were included in the new complex. They were spacious and finished to the highest standards and were used by both Church and Community Groups and Organisations.
• Rev Duncan McPhee ministered to the Congregation and Parish during the late 1960s and 1970s. He was a quiet and gentle man, a great Pastoral Worker within the Parish. When Rev. McPhee left Broomknoll he took up a position with the National Church in Edinburgh. During this vacancy the Manse in Alexander Street was sold, and a new property purchased in Cromarty Road, Airdrie.
• During the Ministry of Rev. William Abernethy of the early and mid 1980’s, Friday and Saturday Outreaches were established. Their purpose was two-fold; both were fundraising ventures as a Friday Cafe, Friday Nearly New Sale and a Saturday Coffee Morning and they were also Broomknoll’s way of reaching out to its Parish, inviting people into the Church who might not normally come near. If they needed a chat – someone was there, if the needed some company someone was there, and if they needed some Spiritual Comfort or a Word of Prayer ¬ someone was there. Friday Outreach Cafe also went out to the people who couldn’t make it to the Outreaches, they did this by delivering hot meals to the housebound etc.
• Rev. John Young ministered during the late 1980s and 1990s. During his ministry the congregation continued to thrive and became especially involved in the work of Christian Aid. One way in which the congregation supports Christian Aid is by giving cash donations at Harvest Thanksgiving, instead of the traditional food stuffs. Each year a sizable donation is forwarded to Christian Aid for their continued work. During the latter stages of Mr Young’s time at Broomknoll the congregation celebrated in 1988 the 100th Birthday of the current Church Building. When Mr Young retired in 2000, the Manse in Cromarty Road no longer satisfied the Church of Scotland’s accommodation requirements. During this vacancy the property was sold, and a larger property was bought as the Broomknoll Manse. Its location is at the other end of town in Commonhead Street.
• With the dawning of a new Millennium a new ministry emerged with the induction of our present Parish Minister, Rev Andrew Thomson, B.A. in February 2001. Following his arrival at Broomknoll many changes and important events took place under his leadership and guidance. During the 2000/01 vacancy, Broomknoll Church was ‘linked’ with the Parish of Calderbank – a small village just outside Airdrie. With what must now be one of the largest Parishes within Airdrie the Kirk Session appointed a Pastoral Assistant to assist our Parish Minister with visits to the Housebound, those in Hospitals and Nursing Homes, as well as giving some support to Sunday duties in the two Churches. With Andrew’s relaxed attitude there is also a new more relaxed atmosphere within the now enlarged Parish and notably on Sundays in the Sanctuary.

To comply with Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, adjustments were made to our buildings. We have undertaken the task to provide better access to our buildings for people who have walking difficulties. A Passenger Lift was installed from the Hall Level to the Sanctuary Level, wheel-chair spaces were provided within the Sanctuary, Disabled Toilet Facilities were installed and Disabled Parking Spaces within the Church grounds.

In 2016 Broomknoll Parish Church united with Flowerhill Parish Church to form Cairnlea Parish Church.  Cairnlea Parish Church accupies the existing Flowerhill building.