A Brief History of Annbank Church
Originally what is now Annbank Parish was part of Tarbolton Parish, and Annbank Parish Church was founded in early 1871 as a Mission station of the Tarbolton Church. This was largely through the influence of local gentlemen, prominent among whom were the Clarke family, concerned for the welfare of the people. It was a modest tin and iron building at the top of what was known as the School Brae (yes, there was once a school there). Hence it became known as the Tin Church. The congregation grew to the extent that it had to be enlarged in 1875, and in 1901 it burnt down. The story goes that the church stood on ground belonging to Enterkine estate, whose owners were Church of England. When the congregation applied for continued use of the ground to rebuild their church, it was refused.
The present Annbank Church building was built on ground belonging to Auchencruive Estate made available by R.A. Oswald. It was built in 1903 of Ballochmyle sandstone at a cost of between £3,000 and £4,000 including the manse which was adjacent. Generous contributions were made by Major Gordon, James Clarke, and the proprietors of the biggest local employer, the Ayr Colliery & Co.
Due to subsistence caused by the mine workings operated by this company extra buttresses were added to the outside walls, although by that time Ballochmyle quarry was closed and the stone had to be brought from further afield with masons being brought our of retirement in order to dress it. At first the church was lit by gas and the box with the gas tap is still there to the side of the vestry door. Contrary to some opinion the gas house wasn’t the session room or vestry. It was between the old outside toilets.
In time, some sort of hall was needed and a room was created under the balcony. We call it the James Brown Room, after a local miner who lived in the Annbank Rows. James Brown was a union man who became an M.P. He was also Sunday School Superintendent and on three occasions was Lord High Commissioner at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. The stained glass window was donated in 1903 by the family of James and Allison Clarke who were local mine owners. The Communion furniture with its unique shell design came from the Wilson Church in Glasgow.
As is usual in Scotland following the disruption of 1843 and then the reconciliation of the Free Church and the Church of Scotland, there was another Church of Scotland congregation in the village until they linked in 1957 and subsequently united. The Roger Memorial church now operates as the Church Hall and is at the other end of Annbank Road in Mossblown itself.
Annbank Parish Church is now linked with Tarbolton Parish Church.
Ken Johnston
(Minister Emeritus of Annbank Parish Church)
