Slains Kirk Sunday School Nativity Play in the 1960s

At one time Slains Kirk had a very vibrant Sunday School and Bible Class.  During the 1930s a popular event in the Sunday School calendar was the dismantling of the Christmas Tree. Generously gifted to the congregation, the tree was dismantled by Santa Claus and small gifts, usually fruit and chocolate, were presented to the children.

In 1931 the Christmas Tree was the gift of renowned artist Joseph Farquharson R.A. of Finzean and from 1932 until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the Christmas Tree was donated by Lord Caithness.

In the Slains Church Supplement of February 1936, Rev James Ross states:

‘Throughout the year, while the Sunday School was in session … attendances were very regular. Considering the distances that some of the children reside from the Church, they are to be highly commended not only for regularity in attendance but for the enthusiasm and earnestness which they show.         I am happy to be able to say that never was the Sunday School in a more flourishing condition, for the roll is the largest on record, within recent years at least, and this augurs well for the future of the congregation.

The classes are rather large for four teachers and another teacher or two would be welcomed and would help to grade the classes for more efficient instruction.  We are indebted to Miss Bruce, Miss Sangster and Mr Charles Arthur, the teachers, for their help in one of the most important works in the church.

The Annual Christmas Treat was held in the Church on Wednesday 25th December. There was a record attendance of parents and friends who thoroughly enjoyed a lengthy programme of choruses, songs and recitations sustained by the children. After tea, the Christmas Tree, gifted by Lord Caithness, was dismantled and the children were presented with gifts by Santa Claus (Mr Downie).’

Countess Howe, who came to Slains Lodge every year, took a great interest in the wellbeing of the children and her generosity provided their annual Christmas treats for a number of years during the 1930s.

When war broke out in 1939, the number of children attending Sunday School increased dramatically due to the arrival of a large number of evacuees from Glasgow, however this lasted for a short time only and numbers were soon back to normal when the evacuees returned home.

In the 1940s and 1950s there were approximately 50 children attending Slains Sunday School and Bible Class on a regular basis.

From the mid 1960s to the late 1970s, Slains Kirk Sunday School was run by Frank and Davina ‘Daisy’ MacPhail.  After Daisy’s death, Frank donated an electric organ to the congregation.  The organ was dedicated by Rev Matthew Rodger during the service on 30th May 1982 and the inscription reads:

 ‘This Organ Gifted to the Congregation by Frank B McPhail was Dedicated to the Glory of God in Memory of Davina Margaret McPhail who Gave Over Sixty Years of Devoted Service Amongst the Children of the Church.’ 

Slains Kirk Sunday School continued to be held in Collieston Community Centre until the 1980s. 

If you can identify anyone in the Nativity Play photograph or have more information about Slains Kirk Sunday School please e-mail colliestononline@yahoo.co.uk