Profile

Parish Profile

LOCATION:

The Parish of Armadale is situated midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow and has good road connections with the M8 and M9 motorways. The new railway station is now open offering excellent rail links from Edinburgh in the east through to Glasgow in the west. Shopping facilities are available within the town with further excellent amenities in nearby Bathgate, Livingston, Falkirk and Linlithgow.

HISTORY:

The Church was built in 1863 and is situated in the middle of the town. Since the Union of the two Church of Scotland congregations in 1974 – The East (formerly United Free) and the West, which is now the Parish Church there have been three ministers. In 2006 the congregation agreed to a period of Interim Ministry during which time a number of new initiatives were introduced, our vision of life was renewed and we are delighted to have Rev. Julia C. Wiley as our Minister.

PARISH:

The Parish consists of a mixture of council and private housing and is currently undergoing a period of growth and expansion, with several new housing developments recently completed and a number of others underway. The present population of Armadale is 10,898.

Within the town there is a secondary school, Armadale Academy, which is a totally new build and was completed in 2010, three primary schools one of which is a Roman Catholic school. There are several sheltered housing complexes, a health centre and clinic, library, Scotmid supermarket, a variety of other shops and community sports facilities which include a swimming pool and fitness centre.

In addition to the Parish Church there is a Roman Catholic Church and Methodist Church with whom we share fellowship.

There is nearby access to several fine Golf Courses and Country Parks with excellent recreational provision …….. Beecraigs, Polkemmet and Muiravonside.

ACTIVITIES & ORGANISATIONS:

CHURCH AND WORSHIP:

The Church building is ideally situated in the centre of the town adjacent to one of the three local primary schools. The congregation currently numbers 614 members with an average weekly attendance of 130

Weekly services take place at 11am each Sunday when Sunday School children attend the first part of worship before leaving to take part in their own activities. A crèche is available every Sunday. A Sunday Club is provided during the summer break.

On the first Sunday of every month an evening service takes place at 6.30pm and includes a celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

The Sunday School numbers around 35, X-Treme team has 16 attending, The Girls Brigade has 130 members and the Boys Brigade has 40 members.

Both Primary Schools use the Church for special services and there is an annual service for bereaved families.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN:

A very successful Stewardship Campaign has been undertaken and all homes in the congregation have been visited. The invitation to the Family Meal was so popular that it had to be scheduled over two Saturday evenings with 535 attending. A questionnaire was given to all who attended and 240 were returned giving their views on the Church and in many instances offering support in terms of time, talents and money and also producing a number of innovative ideas.

THE FUTURE:

In answer to the question “Why are we here?” – the office bearers have answered, “To follow the example of Jesus and be a caring congregation, serving the community. To help make Armadale Parish Church a place where everyone matters and each person contributes to, and benefits from, the work and fellowship of this congregation”.

BUILDINGS: