Pentecostals in paisley
by pastor billy mccallum
(1912-2008)
As the local pastor in the Paisley Assemblies of God Church I was interested to find out a little about our past history and how we came into existence in the town of Paisley.
I made some enquires among the older members of the congregation, I am indebted to Joseph Wieland a Baptist minister for his input as part of the family of one of the first elders a Mr John Wieland who was able to furnish me with information regarding the early beginnings of this group of Pentecostal believers brought together by a man called Andrew Reid and family and a Mr Jimmy Clark.
Joseph Wieland recalls his earliest memories of the church gathering in the High Street and those things his parents mentioned about the beginnings of the work and also helped by his own personal diary which he kept.
In Scotland the Holy Spirit was outpoured in 1908 at the Westport Hall, Kilsyth were a congregation known as the "Church of God" worshipped and about 200 people received their baptism in the Spirit with speaking in tongues.
Previously in 1907, there had been a revival at "All Saints church" Sunderland where the Reverend A.A.Bodie was its pastor. The revival in Wales in 1904 had sparked off a deep hunger for more of God in other countries also.
Significant to the Pentecostal revival, however, was the fact that it was not associated with any particular leader, and that these outpourings of the Spirit were occurring simultaneously in other parts of the world.
A fuller account of this can be read in a book by Donald Gee called, "The Pentecostal Movement".
The revival in Scotland spread rapidly to surrounding towns and villages including Paisley, and it could be that the first Pentecostal believers met around 1908-1910. We know Jimmy Clark a blacksmith, and Andrew Reid a business man (who lived in Townhead Terrace) were two of the leadership at the beginning and I have since learned that from the outset this Pentecostal fellowship met at 26 High Street in a hall on the first floor being the residence of Jimmy Reid, Andrew Reid's brother.
At the time of the revival Joseph recalls being told by his mother Christina, aged 17 and her sister aged 16 (his aunt) worshipped at Hopehall with her grandmother who was a very keen and knowledgeable Christian who, hearing about the meeting at 26 High Street, immediately attended and said, "This is what I have been longing for all my life" - and the three of them continued to attend regularly.
It is in 1916 that we get an insight into the High Street fellowship. Joseph's father John Wieland had come from Switzerland at the age of 15 to be an apprentice to a confectioner baker in the town. He was now aged 44, widowed with a son Jackie and a daughter Flossie (Flora McDougal's mother, who is our longest serving member still with us today) who looked after the house.
God's Spirit had been dealing with his father to the extent, on seeing a minister in the street, he asked him how he could be sure of going to Heaven when he died. The reply was, "do the best you can, pay 20 shillings in the pound, join my Kirk, and you will be alright." Somehow he knew this was not the answer.
In 1916, one Saturday night, leaving the pub, instead of turning right as was his custom he turned left and there at the top of New Street was one man on his own, preaching in the open-air. He recalls that with hands uplifted to Heaven, the man was saying "Almost 2,000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ died for you". His father being drunk argued with the preacher who completely ignored his heckling and continued to preach. A crowd gathered and other Christians joined the open-air. At the conclusion, two men in soldier's uniforms invited his father to the meeting in the High Street, assisting him up the stairs to the hall. He said later, that he agreed to go with them because, being drunk, he would have gone anywhere!
That night he was saved despite being drunk. The following day he returned to the meeting and upon entering, Andrew Reid, the Pastor, left the platform, came down to meet him, kissed and embraced him. His father said he had never witnessed such love among people before. Now assured of Salvation, on Monday morning he witnessed to his fellow bakers at McGee's. His profession of faith was ridiculed and predictions made that it would not last, but by the grace of God he was to continue steadfastly in the faith till his death, 42 years later.
At that time there was no baptistery in the hall and his father remembers being baptised in a bath in a house along with a few others confirmed by Flora McDougal that these did take place "in a bath in a house" and conveniently that house was the one upstairs on the second floor, belonging to Andrew Reid's brother, Jimmy. His father also remembers one of the men arriving for his baptism in a top hat and funeral garb, saying he thought it appropriate because he was attending a funeral- meaning the "burying" of the "old man" which one could have thought was the cause for rejoicing!
Soon after his father's conversion, Jimmy Clark, the open-air preacher, aged 70, told his father he had been praying for "one soul before he died" he said, "John you are that soul. Now that my work is finished, I am asking the Lord to take me home." At the end of that week, travelling to his work on the train, the Lord did take him home, he was found by the guard, sitting with his open bible on his knees!
Soon after the war, in 1922, Andrew Reid with his wife and growing family and his brother Jimmy and his family immigrated to New Zealand. By this time the work in the High Street was established and well known in the surrounding areas. As well as Joseph's parents, there was an older member Tom Allan, his wife, his son Robert and his wife and three daughters, who later moved to Kilmarnock; Flossie Scott (Flora's mother), Isa Telford, Kate Smith, Etta Thompson, Jenny Goodman and her mother, Jessie Lambert and Mary McFarlane (later Mary Ash).
These and others were the first Paisley members. Later in the 1920's, Archie Rankin who married Jenny Goodman and Mrs Barr, Mrs Orme, Mrs McCallum and Annie Turner and Lizzie Logan (Flossie's sister-in-law) who came from the Salvation Army. The work was also greatly helped by George McIlvain and his wife from Garrowhill Glasgow, Jimmy Tait from Clydebank and Joe Sim from Kilsyth.
George McIlvain assisted in ministry right into "Hannah Street" days. He had a very keen sense of humour and acknowledged he had to be careful unless people only remembered him for his humour; he was a dedicated and uplifting speaker.
When Andrew Reid left John Wieland became an elder, later Archie Rankin who also became the treasurer, both remained Elders for the rest of their lives and so were an integral part of the fellowship throughout.
Jimmy Reid having gone to New Zealand and his house no longer used for baptisms, a new location was found in Paisley the public baths in Storrie Street.
An interesting insight into the High Street fellowship comes from an outside source: Mrs Nancy Mackie from Glasgow. In her memoirs she gave a little glimpse of one of the Saturday night meetings. This was in 1928 she and her friend Susan, a good pianist and singer, went to various meetings on deputation to sing and testify, she says this, "One of the places we went to was a small hall upstairs in the High Street, Paisley. It was a Pentecostal meeting and what took our attention was the cheery person who led the meeting, he was so bright and had an unusual accent. I found out later he was Swiss, his wife played the organ, and they had a baby boy about a year old and another about 3or4. The man who led the meeting was Mr Wieland and the boys were Archie and Joseph Wieland. So that was my first introduction to the Wieland family. Little did I realise that many years later that baby was to become my son-in-law".
The morning services were characterised by liberty in the Spirit in worship. This liberty was deeply treasured and everyone exhorted to be free to obey the promptings of the Spirit and not to in anyway quench the Spirit.
Inevitably the question arose about the need of a full-time Pastor. Such a step however, at a time of mass unemployment and depression, required faith because as well as payment of rent and expenses at the High Street there would be added obligation to provide a stipend for a full-time Pastor.
But undaunted the first Pastor was called to the work his name was Clarence Young, one of four brothers converted under Stephen Jeffries at Bishop Auckland. All of these brothers became Pastors. Clarence was noted for his Godliness and his sacrificial spirit, endearing himself to the flock he encouraged them to study at home by giving them questions following his bible studies, the answers to which were to be returned to him for marking. During his short pastorate Donald Gee visited the High Street meeting.
Also at this time they were thinking of moving to another building but it came to nothing due to lack of finance. Jenny Rankin spoke later about the impoverished circumstances in which Clarence Young served from 1930 - 1932 approximately.
John Lawson from Edinburgh 1932 - 1936 was the next Pastor to commence his ministry at the High Street he was from Donald Gee's church. He was an athletic looking man with an impressive and strong personality, a man of action assisted by his wife and daughter who helped in the children's work. Under his ministry the church found a new home in Hannah Street but it required considerable improvement and facilities to make it suitable as a place of worship. When they finally entered the new hall it did not have a baptistery so John Lawson with his evangelistic zeal arranged for an early baptismal service to be held at Barnsford Bridge - in the River Cart, they were hardy in those days.
Flora McDougal as a young girl can vividly recall her aunt Lizzie's baptism and the many friends and the crows who gathered along the banks of the river to witness it. Later baptisms were held in the hall in Hannah Street in what was called "the Tank" this was a wooden frame in which a canvas tarpaulin was fixed it was easily dismantled and stored. But wither in a bath in a house, or the public baths, or River Cart or a tank in Hannah Street, these zealous Pentecostal believers always found a way to obey the Lord's command to be baptised.
John Lawson's outstanding emphasis was evangelism, he was tireless in open-air work, he would regularly bring people to the Sunday night Gospel service who would not normally darken a church door.
The next Pastor was T D Beckett from Blyth 1936-1942 he came to Paisley having been converted for only 3 years. He had been the manager of a confectionary factory. He told Joseph later when he arrived he was asked if he had been to Bible School, he said his heart sank when he answered "No", but it lifted again when Joseph's father exclaimed "Praise God" you're the man for Paisley, and the church agreed. He was an excellent personal worker and home visitor often accompanied by his wife, Margaret who was an encourager of others and given to hospitality. During his ministry 25-30 people were added to the fellowship some will be known to you: Jack Gibson, Eddy & Isa Shaw, George Gilchrist, Emma Mitchell, Helen Gilchrist's mother Mrs Manson. There were 5 Naismith sisters two came in under John Lawson's ministry Kate and Helen and the other three Mrs Sutton, Mrs Taylor; Mrs Murray (also Mrs Murray's husband, and her daughter Barbara, who later became Mrs Jack Gibson) came in during Tom Beckett's ministry.
During this time there were visits from Pentecostal leaders such as Howard Carter, Harold Horton, James Salter and Donald Gee. Growth had its problems but Tom Beckett dealt with them with a singular pastoral sensitivity and wisdom. He was with us in the years leading up to the war and left in early 1942 to pastor in Sheffield and Leeds returning to Scotland to Cairnbulg in January 1947. He was a Barnabas exhorting us above all else to keep close to the Lord and be obedient to his will. It was at the start of his time in Paisley Joanne Reid, Andrew's sister, returned from New Zealand. She was thrilled and thankful to God to find the work continuing she remained in fellowship at Hannah Street.
Several months after Tom Beckett left, he was followed by Fred Brown 1942 - 1945. He was in Paisley for 2 and a half years beginning in the summer of 1942. His wife Rene (a sister of the Young brothers mentioned earlier) and there son Derek. Fred was a forceful preacher who did not spare himself many a time sweat used to pour down his face as he got into his subject, he was dramatic in his presentation.
It is recalled at a convention in Motherwell, Fred being the speaker, the hall packed in anticipation as he stepped forward to speak he takes of his jacket (a common practise today but most unusual then) he now stood his shirt dazzling white, just as he is about to begin, Pat Hendry from Greenock, sitting behind him on the platform exclaimed, "someone's mother isn't using Persil" the mood in the hall changed from awe and anticipation to unrestrained laughter. Pat with his keen sense of humour did not care for dramatics!
Yet the truth is Fred Brown was a man deeply sensitive to the moving of the Spirit.
After a short period of time Pastor A. Sains had his welcome service on 10th March 1945. He came from the Durham area and was a gentle, mild mannered man. In his ministry he dealt with biblical topics, types and symbols and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and ministered in Paisley until around February 1947 the assembly owe much to this man of God as he worked here without his wife being with him due to no house being available for them to stay in but he faithfully carried out his pastoral duties.
Later in 1947 on the 7th September, Clifford Rees a Welsh man was called to the pastorate, he was only going to be in Paisley a short while as he left in April 1948, his ministry was greatly appreciated he expounded the Word clearly and had a strong Evangelistic emphasis.
He was a warm and loveable brother and Paisley were privileged to have him at this time, he later went on to serve the Assemblies of God fellowship in UK as Home Missions Director and one of the Executives of the movement.
The abiding memory of those early days were the worship in the High Street, then in Hannah Street; also the varied ministry of the various Pastors, and the people who worshipped in the Assembly.
It is easy to forget the beginnings of the Pentecostal movement, there was much antagonism and hostility and although it had subsided a little by the 1950's many Christians were still wary of the Pentecostals
One Pastor wore a badge with the initials S.E.S.A. which stood for "Sect Everywhere Spoken Against"
Acts 28:22 A.V!
From 1950 - 1960 Pastor Jack Duckworth lead the assembly and the church grew in number and the blessing of God was evident. It was during his years in Paisley my wife Valerie was born in 1949 and became the first baby that Jack Duckworth dedicated in 1950. With growth came the need for new premises so as his time in Paisley came to a close it was decided that they would build a new church in the East end of the town in Kilnside Road.
It was at this juncture in 1960 a young man named Hayden Hucknell with his wife and children became the pastor for a short period of time in which the church was built and relocated to Kilnside Road.
It was at this point Jack Gibson who was saved during Tom Beckett's time in Paisley became the Pastor from 1962 - 1976 a man of God under whose ministry I would develop and grow and whom I got to know very well as my pastor and mentor and who I loved.
Under his ministry the church was maintained and added to as I and other came to faith during this time, many happy times were enjoyed then. Jack left Paisley to take up a pastorate in the United Free Church in Boddam in the North east of Scotland.
From 1976 - 1979 the church was without a resident pastor and so ministry was brought in from outside and the Elders myself being among them took responsibility for the ministry and on going pastoral duties.
In 1979 - 1993 Ben Pitout and his wife Brenda came to Pastor the work from South Africa. The church which was now in Kilnside Road had a mini-revival during this period where we saw many young people coming to Christ and blessing followed and from among these people some went on to establish other Assembly of God churches in Bellshill and Larkhall and Elderslie.
In obedience to a vision Ben had received while in Africa and linked to his coming to Paisley it was felt that it was time to look for new premises as we looked to expand. So in 1982 the church Ben had saw in his vision became available to buy it was an old church of Scotland building in Stock Street in the south end of the town this became our new home after much prayer it was ours for £10,000 pounds, a miracle.
With much work to be done on the building inside and outside, Pastor Ben being a builder before coming into the ministry set to work with much help from the congregation and in due time changed both building and people.
It was also at this time the church had a name change from AOG Paisley to Living Waters Christian Centre. So much could be said but space and time do not allow it. Ben and Brenda left us in 1993 to become missionaries to Zambia.
Moving on to 1993 - 1997 Pastor Iain Allan and his wife Norma had become involved with us during this time as he was caretaker Pastor part time in Paisley as he had a church in Dunfermline in which he was Pastor so he travelled between us and them. We owe a great deal to this couple for their time and effort in the church both among the people and the leadership as they sought to build us and care for us. It was at this time I, (Billy McCallum) who had been assistant Pastor to Pastor Ben Pitout and was part of the leadership team at Living Waters and had been since 1974 and elder in the Assembly in Paisley. It was at this point I applied for status with Assemblies of God and became one of the Pastors working with Iain Allan in seeking to maintain and grow the church in many areas.
William McCallum better known as Billy 1997 - 2005 with the 4 elders Jim Stewart, Bob Paterson, Jim Park and Peter Wallerstein worked together as a flattened Leadership during this time, and with Bob Paterson also receiving ministerial status he became with myself responsible for the daily ongoing business of leading the Assembly, we enjoyed some success as we cared for the body of believers under our pastor-ship.
A new and exciting era was about to commence in the journey of this Pentecostal fellowship. We had shared our premises since 2002 with another church recently joined to Assemblies of God here in Scotland known as Living Word led by Pastor John Fletcher, John put it to us if we had ever thought of amalgamating with them and so become one fellowship.
As Pastor John Fletcher laid out his vision for the next 5 years we were moved by the Holy Spirit to realise it was so in line with were we were heading we after consultation with our leaderships it was decided God was moving us together. So in January 2005 we became one church calling ourselves Living Word Christian Centre. It was decided that John Fletcher would be the senior Pastor, his wife Susan, Pastors Billy McCallum and Bob Paterson as part of the leadership team.
We look forward with anticipation to the Lord multiplying and blessing us as we go forward recognising and thanking God for the deep roots we have into the beginnings of the Pentecostal movement as the Holy Spirit was outpoured at the start of the last century here in Scotland and all over the world.
I thank God for our Pentecostal heritage and the impact of so many Godly Pastors, their wives and families over such a long period of time. Many have gone to their reward and now as part of that "Great cloud of witnesses" are urging us on to "Finish the race" and "Win the prize" and so complete the course set for us.
May the Lord inspire us as he did those in our past history, to reach our generation for the King, and to leave our children and grand children something of worth to the Kingdom of God in the town of Paisley in which God has placed us to work for him.
"LET PAISLEY FLOURISH, BY THE PREACHING OF HIS WORD,
AND THE PRAISING OF HIS NAME"
