trinkie
31-Mar-09, 08:07
I have to say a tear came into my eye when I read of the closing of Bridge Street Church, yet I understand why it was not possible to keep it going, and indeed I send Best Wishes to the new union. I feel sure that the Parish church will welcome the Bridge Street stalwarts with open arms and I look forward to joining them there when I next visit Wick.
I must thank Moira Gunn for her article and Bill Fernie for the pictures. How often I have come through that very door after the Morning Service, choir and Sunday school, standing for a while to chat with friends before making our way home, then back for the Evening Service and Youth Fellowship. The church played a big part in our lives at that time and the memory of such times have lasted for years and years.
Looking at the pictures I spotted at once ‘our pew’ and began to remember where everyone sat, Sunday after Sunday. Easter Sunday was a big day for the new outfits and as a child I eagerly took in all the details. All the ladies wore hats then of course with gloves to match and a costume in lighter shades just right for spring. Fred Shearer and his family sat on the left side and his stylish wife made such an entrance, with a fur swung casually around her shoulders. Another smart lady was Miss Skinner who sat in the middle of the church beside the pillar, she seemed to like shades of pink and mauve, I had to squint to get a good look at her. Not far away was the Taylor family, and John Cormack who made the best chips in the north. I recognised several shop owners in that church.
As a child I paid little attention to the Service, though I loved singing the hymns. ‘Jesus Bids Us Shine’ ‘All things Bright and Beautiful’ this I sang heartily as I set out the dozen or so pebbles I had stuffed into the pocket of my best Sunday coat. First I laid them out according to colour, then size, then I grouped them into ‘families’ Then my mother spotted me and tugged my arm and gave me such a glare! Once outside the Church and safely up the road, she began to give me my usual after-the-church-telling-off and for weeks after I had to empty my pockets before we left the house. But I had a secret hiding place and could get one or two favourite little objects up my sleeve.
As I got older I began to take more interest and was even asked to do the Reading for the Christmas Service - And it came to Pass in the days of ………. The following year I sang my first solo in Bridge Street Church and later joined the choir and eventually became a Sunday School Teacher. One little boy I remember was the son of Sinclair the Dentist – now he kept me on my toes !
I loved the Evening Service and afterwards the Youth Fellowship. We met in the room downstairs where there was an old piano. Derry Ironside played a mean jazz at that time, and we had quite a session before the minister came in !
Was it all fun in Bridge Street Church at that time? Yes, I think it was. I certainly have the most wonderful memories.
Many thanks.
I must thank Moira Gunn for her article and Bill Fernie for the pictures. How often I have come through that very door after the Morning Service, choir and Sunday school, standing for a while to chat with friends before making our way home, then back for the Evening Service and Youth Fellowship. The church played a big part in our lives at that time and the memory of such times have lasted for years and years.
Looking at the pictures I spotted at once ‘our pew’ and began to remember where everyone sat, Sunday after Sunday. Easter Sunday was a big day for the new outfits and as a child I eagerly took in all the details. All the ladies wore hats then of course with gloves to match and a costume in lighter shades just right for spring. Fred Shearer and his family sat on the left side and his stylish wife made such an entrance, with a fur swung casually around her shoulders. Another smart lady was Miss Skinner who sat in the middle of the church beside the pillar, she seemed to like shades of pink and mauve, I had to squint to get a good look at her. Not far away was the Taylor family, and John Cormack who made the best chips in the north. I recognised several shop owners in that church.
As a child I paid little attention to the Service, though I loved singing the hymns. ‘Jesus Bids Us Shine’ ‘All things Bright and Beautiful’ this I sang heartily as I set out the dozen or so pebbles I had stuffed into the pocket of my best Sunday coat. First I laid them out according to colour, then size, then I grouped them into ‘families’ Then my mother spotted me and tugged my arm and gave me such a glare! Once outside the Church and safely up the road, she began to give me my usual after-the-church-telling-off and for weeks after I had to empty my pockets before we left the house. But I had a secret hiding place and could get one or two favourite little objects up my sleeve.
As I got older I began to take more interest and was even asked to do the Reading for the Christmas Service - And it came to Pass in the days of ………. The following year I sang my first solo in Bridge Street Church and later joined the choir and eventually became a Sunday School Teacher. One little boy I remember was the son of Sinclair the Dentist – now he kept me on my toes !
I loved the Evening Service and afterwards the Youth Fellowship. We met in the room downstairs where there was an old piano. Derry Ironside played a mean jazz at that time, and we had quite a session before the minister came in !
Was it all fun in Bridge Street Church at that time? Yes, I think it was. I certainly have the most wonderful memories.
Many thanks.