Congregation
of St Paul’s formed in 1878.
Congregation of Finnart formed 1883.
Congregation of Finnart St Paul’s formed in 1978.
Present building, designed by Dr (later Sir) Rowand Anderson, opened 1893 (congregation of St’ Paul’s worshipped till then in ‘Tin Tabernacle’ in garden – gates still there).
Length
121 feet
Width 31 feet (nave and side passages)
Height 69 feet (to apex of ceiling)
Area 8323 square feet
1893 Pulpit, choir stalls, minister’s chair and font (font presented by “ladies of the congregation”)
1894 “Father Willis” organ installed
1920 Electric light installed (rewired, new light fittings 1959)
1921 Reredos installed as memorial to those who died in WW1 (see plaque to the right of chancel steps)
1928
Jubilee of St Paul’s congregation – choir stalls returned to present
position.
2 figures added to reredos – Peter with key and John with
cup.
Panelling round the reredos.
2 elders’ stalls.
2 ministers’ chairs and kneeling desks.
1929
Choir robes introduced- (first set lasted over 35
years, second set (1964) still in use!)
1936 Organ partially rebuilt (pneumatic action to replace tracker action).
1937 New Communion Table (Austrian Oak).
1942 Naval Kite Balloon ‘escaped’ – fouled spire and demolished cross (to be replaced in programme of restoration 60 years later!)
1949 Side chancel turned into Memorial Chapel – in following years panelling donated by Miss E T Caird, 17 chairs designed by Henry Wyllie, wrought iron pendant designed and made by Scottish Craft Centre.After
union in 1978, Finnart furniture (designed by Sir D Y Cameron in 1933) placed
in Memorial Chapel (lectern made to match later – as memorial who died
in WW2 – see also memorial in north aisle).
Present curtain fall replaced 1930s original in 1961.
‘Paz Vobiscum’ (Peace be with you) stone (uncovered as a result
of an outbreak of rot in 1930s) brought from Finnart building when converted
into flats.
1973 Green pulpit fall, made by Miss Nancy Campbell – “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6; 17)
1982 Extension opened (at a cost of £43,000) on site of originally proposed tower.
1996 Pews replaced by chairs (in memory of Miss M McDonald)
2003 Programme of restoration and improvement costing over £350,000 helped by Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland and others.Building now insured for about £7,000,000