|
On
the 28th. August 1760, the Parish of Torphichen, having accepted the next
Presentee who was nominated by the Patron, and without opposition -
possibly because other problems were occupying the minds of the Heritors
and Kirk Session - the Rev James Paton was ordained and inducted. Mr Paton’s ministry was to
last a total of 36 years, being terminated only by his death.
This was the beginning of an interesting
chapter in the life of Torphichen Kirk and Parish. The first important work which was
ahead of the new Minister was to heal the wounds caused by the induction of
Rev James Watson and to return the numbers of the Congregation to something
like what they were in the Rev John Bonar’s day. At this time, there was a great
interest in antiquarian and historical matters. This involved the Minister
and the Dominie, who were holders of information which was made available
to all enquirers. Mr Paton
wrote the first statistical account of the Parish for Sir John Sinclair
MP. He also corresponded with
General Hutton who left notes and letters on antiquarian matter which now
occupy fifteen volumes in the National Library. It is very likely that Mr Paton
would have met Richard Gough, the English Antiquarian who left his drawings
of our Kirk to the Bodleian Library.
It was during the early part of his ministry that Mr Paton was given
a new manse - the present Glebe House - which was much larger, and much
more splendid than that which he occupied in the Kirk Gate.
This was the time when Lord Torphichen and
John Gillon were engaged in battle at the Court of Session over the
occupancy of the Laird’s Loft, which ended with Lord Torphichen
winning his case in 1774. It
was also during Mr Paton’s ministry that most of the stones from the
damaged parts of the Preceptory buildings, including the Choir, were carted
away to build farm dykes and houses, including Cathlaw House.
This also was the time when the interior of
the Kirk was divided between each Heritor, each of whom was allocated his
space. He was responsible for
providing his own seats. It was
not an ideal arrangement as some people would sit in what was meant to be a
passage and others, including Heritors, would encroach on other
people’s spaces. We can
still see some of the spaces which were occupied by Heritors. As you enter the near door,
immediately in front is the Woodside pew. Opposite the pulpit, to this side
and to the rear of the centre pews, is the Minister’s family
pew. In Mr Paton’s day,
there was a central aisle with a door and at the far side of this door was
the Loch Cote pew. At the far
door was the Cathlaw pew. It
should be noted that fixed pews were not installed until later.
At this time, Sunday Worship began around 11
am, with the bell ringing at 10 am for 15 minutes, and again at 10.30 am
until most of the Members had gathered. The offering was collected at each
door on plates as each Member arrived for Worship. A Psalm was sung as the Members
gathered and the Precentor took charge of Worship until the Minister
arrived. The Members sat during
singing and stood for prayer.
The Service lasted until lunch time and a second Service began at 2
pm and lasted for a further two hours.
The Rev James Paton died on the 31st October
1796, in his 82nd year, thus ending a memorable Ministry.
Rev. William Meek,
Minister 1797 - 1821
Return to Ministers Index Page
|
