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High Blantyre 1904

High Blantyre 1904

The spire of Blantyre Parish Church is visible in the background of this 1904 picture, taken just beyond the Cross. Its first minister, William Chirnside, was also the last Catholic priest at the Priory. The way he changed his beliefs like a pair of socks illustrates the religious turmoil of the Reformation, when scruples went out of the window as people desperatley scrabbled to join the 'right' side. The Minister who wrote the Second Statistical Account used his position to complain that 'the manse is falling apart', quickly making the point that 'Lord Blantyre is patron'! Almost everything in this picture except the brick wall surrounding the Church has gone. A centenery memorial to victims of the colliery disaster stands on the left and there is a sheltered housing scheme on the right.

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