Church Overview

The building was designed by prolific church architect John Henderson and it opened for worship in August 1847. Built in an Early English style of a light blonde stone, it consists of a nave and chancel, separated by an arch of clustered shafts, with an aisle on the north west side. A fine timber roof of braced collared beams can be found in the nave and a pointed panelled ceiling in the chancel. 

The chancel’s colourful ceiling panels were painted by the prominent artist Mabel Royds, who is now mostly known for her delicate and detailed woodcut works, and its floor is paved with wonderful encaustic tiles. The stone altar is decorated with foliage and the Agnus Dei and the polygonal oak pulpit is also richly carved. There are several fine stained glass commemorative windows and memorials in marble and brass reflecting the church’s strong links with Hamilton’s military garrisons. The windows include works from the workshops of James Powell & Sons and Clayton & Bell. The laid-up regimental colours of the local, now disbanded, Cameronian Regiment are also on display in the church. The 1890 pipe organ is by Forster & Andrews and possesses a beautifully painted case. The carved stone font is modelled after one located in Ditchingham in Norfolk.

In front of the church there is a small Remembrance Garden where the cremated remains of some members of the congregation have been laid to rest. Its adjacent halls are home to St Mary’s For All, a community-based charity that provides venue spaces for hire to local groups, individuals and organisations, office facilities and a warm space and warm welcome in a community café that’s open Mon-Fri from 9am-3pm. 

Services

Sundays at 9.45 am and Wednesdays at 10.30am Evensong service takes place the first Sunday of the Month at 4pm

Opening Arrangements

From 9am to 3.30pm each day

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.