Portland Church 1919 to 1922
The end of the First World War saw relief, joy and a great deal of grief and sadness. Life in Britain had changed
for ever with people having to start and pick up the pieces and build anew.
In Portland United Free Church, there was happiness that Mr Brander had returned from the Prisoner of War
camp in March 1919, but many people had been
affected by losing loved ones in the war. On the 1st of
April 1919, a letter was received from the Scottish Red
Cross Association, thanking the church for the use of
the halls as a Red Cross Hospital during the war, and
offering to provide a brass plate to commemorate the
event, a letter was also received from Lady Glenarthur,
offering to hand over the two Red Cross flags which
were in use whilst the halls were occupied as a
hospital. In May 1919, a letter was send from Mr A E
Stephen of Crosbie Tower, who wished to gift a stained
glass window “as a thank offering to God for the victory
won in the Great War and also as a memorial to those
who made the supreme sacrifice to save the world from
evil”. Mr Stephen was given a free hand to have the
work carried out as he desired. The beautiful window
that we appreciate week after week, was dedicated on
Easter Day 1920.
Meanwhile, Mr Brander headed up a committee to
decide on a fitting memorial for those who had fallen in
the congregation. After much discussion, it was
decided to place a tablet inside the church, with each
member of the congregation being asked for a donation.
The War Memorial was unveiled on Armistice Sunday in
1921.
Interestingly, when in 2013 we had to establish a food
bank in Troon to try and help people who are struggling
financially today, it was noted at a meeting of the
Deacons’ Court on the 22nd of November 1921 “that the
Deacons’ Court desire means whereby the necessitous
cases of the congregation be assisted during the period of unemployment” and that “the office bearers visit their
districts and ascertain the number of distress cases in their district” and that a special committee would be set
up and “give relief where necessary”. A special collection was arranged for the month of March for the
unemployment fund. It seems that little has changed since 1921.
A proposal was put forward on the 14th of February 1922 that a manse was either built or bought and a
committee was appointed to look out for a suitable house. Some three months later, on the 9th of May 1922, Mr
Brander intimated to the Deacons’ Court that a call to him was being presented to Ayr Presbytery from Highgate
Presbyterian Church and should the Presbytery sustain the call, it was his intention to accept it. “Having
expressed the deep gratitude and appreciation he felt for the work and unfailing loyalty shown him by the Office
Bearers and Congregation during the long term of 16 years which he has been our Minister, he expressed his
deep regret at having to close his ministry with us, as he was convinced the call was one which he could not set
aside.”
Whilst the Kirk Session and Deacons’ Court heartily congratulated him, they regretted that he had decided to
accept the call, and put on record “an expression of their sincere appreciation of his work and ministry whilst
Minister of the Congregation for 16 years, their admiration of his personal life and example, and their earnest
prayer and hope that in his wider sphere of labour, he may be abundantly blessed in his own spirit and used by
the Master in preaching and establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.”
Thus a new chapter was about to start in the life of Portland United Free Church.
