St Kessog’s Roman Catholic Church
St Kessog’s Roman Catholic Church was opened in Blanefield on 28 May 1893.
A beautiful chapel was opened on Sunday at Strathblane by His Grace the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh. The chapel is built on rising ground, which commands a magnificent view of the Blane Valley, both north and south. Attached to the chapel is a chapel-house for the pastor, the Rev. Father Foley, containing six apartments.
The church is 51ft by 26 ft and can accommodate some 230 people. It is oblong in shape, and has an altar, which is of beautiful carved oak and the altar rail is of the same material. These come from Belgium, but all the other wood work was done by Mr A. Wright, joiner, Strathblane while the mason work was by Mr Simpson, Balfron.
In the west gable is a handsome circular stained glass window. In the centre are the Papal arms, and underneath are the arms of the Bishop of the diocese, while above and to the right and left of the Papal arms are beautifully coloured glass representing the shamrock, thistle and rose respectively. The whole of this window is the gift of the family of the Rev. Father Foley from Kerry. The side windows are also of stained glass, and given by several friends. In the porch is a fine stained glass with the figure of St Kessog, from whom the chapel is named.
The cost of the whole building is about £1,200. On Sunday the chapel was crowded, and many were unable to get admission. The altar was tastefully decorated with cut flowers, while at each side was a tall palm 11 or 12 feet in height, with smaller ones tapering towards the walls. These were kindly sent from Duntreath Castle.
At 11.30 am, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh entered the chapel, accompanied by Monsignor McKerral, Campsie; Rev. Father Cavin, rector, St Peter’s College, Bearsden; Professor Ritchie, St Peter’s College; Rev. Father McNairney, and Rev. Father Foley. After High Mass had been conducted by the Archbishop, the Rev. Monsignor McKerral preached from Joel ii, 29 – ‘In those days I will pour out my Spirit’.
(Stirling Observer, 3 June 1893)
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