HOWWOOD PARISH CHURCH
We are a vibrant family church in Howwood, Renfrewshire that’s part of the Church of Scotland.
Join us at one of our Sunday Services or check out our next Alpha course an opportunity to explore the meaning of life.
We aim to be a caring fellowship of worship and witness, of learning and serving.
We are an eco-congregation and a Fairtrade Church. We are open to all and seek to serve the community of which we are part.
We are committed to justice and equality throughout the world through our support of Christian Aid, Tearfund, Mary’s Meals, Blythswood Care, Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
We also have links with congregations in Zimbabwe, Malawi
and Cambodia.
HISTORY@HPC
Howwood is a daughter church of Lochwinnoch (as a chapel of ease). It was started on 11th October 1858 as a Mission Station. It later became a Chapel of Ease and called Elliston Chapel—a secondary church within a larger pTuesday, 7 September, 2010h. About the same time, the Church building was extended with the addition of a chancel and transepts to give it its current cruciform shape. The hall was built in 1911 and then extended in the 1990's.
In order to provide funds for the church, Howwood held a three-day Bazaar in the Drill Hall, High Street, Paisley in November 1903. A special feature was a Display and Sale of South African curios from Kaffir War Clubs to Zulu Snuff-boxes. The entertainments included – Shooting Range, Grand Fish pond, Nail driving Competition for Ladies only, Hat-trimming Competition for Gentlemen only and a Smelling Competition for both sexes. In 1904, the congregation raised £1,000 (the equivalent of £800000 in 2009) and that a further £1,000 was added from the Endowment Fund of the Church of Scotland in preparation for it elevation to full-status.
The ministers who served in Howwood when it was Elliston Chapel
The Rev William Lytteil (or Little) who served 1862-1867.The Rev John Kay 1867-1872.
Rev Robert Neill 1873-1879.
Rev Alexander Nicol 1879-1881.
Rev Charles Jack 1881-1883.
The Rev William Miller 1883-1887.
The Rev John Gilbert became minister in 1887 and served until 1935. [ led Howwood to full status in 1905.]
The Rev W Morton Mauchline 1935-1947(including service as Army Chaplain).
The Rev John Campbell 1947-1977.
The Rev John MacArthur 1978 -1985.
The Rev Phyllis Wilson 1985 -1995.
The Rev Benjamin Abeledo 1995 -2000.
The Rev David Stewart 2001 until present.
It was reported that at the time of the establishment of Howwood as a full charge in 1904 the communion roll was 240 and when Mr Gilbert retired after 47 years and 10 months as minister at Howwood the communion roll was 440.