Airdrie Broomknoll linked with Calderbank
The linking of these two charges which occurred nine years ago is a happy one. Both churches share a similar theological outlook.

Airdrie Broomknoll is situated at the very centre of the town of Airdrie - next to the Railway Station and at the Cross. Calderbank Parish Church stands proudly at the top of the hill in the village of Calderbank and its square tower is visible from almost the entire Parish. Calderbank Parish Church serves around 3500 persons, mainly resident in the village and in the housing estates off Brownsburn Road. Outwith these areas are a few farms and isolated residences.

Broomknoll Parish Church serves around 5566 persons drawn in the main from Cairnhill, but with the alterations in housing distribution, we have an increasing number of members resident outwith the parish boundary.

The Burgh of Airdrie is over 300 years old and has passed from being a base for heavy industry to being largely a dormitory town for Glasgow, and, to a lesser extent, Edinburgh. Similarly Calderbank, which once boasted a steel works, is a post-industrial village dormitory.

The position of both town and village close to the main Glasgow - Edinburgh A8 route, and the proximity of the Newhouse Industrial Estate and the Eurolink Rail Terminals, has given rise to the building of hundreds of additional houses in the area.

There are major commercial aspects around the town, but the largest employers are currently Monklands District General Hospital, North Lanarkshire Council and Be Cogent.

For additional details visit Monklands Online

Church Buildings
The sanctuary of Calderbank recently underwent major refurbishment, and is warm and welcoming. It has a seating capacity of 300. There are also two halls, one with a stage and there is a small kitchen.

Broomknoll made substantial alterations 3 years ago in order to comply with disability legislation which was then imminent. A modern lift was installed and the toilet for the disabled was modernised. The sanctuaries and halls of both churches meet the requirements of the Act. Broomknoll's sanctuary seats 500. The church has three good sized halls. There are several ante rooms situated at the back of the stage. It has a large kitchen which is extensively used, both by groups within the church and in our Outreach programmes. Both churches meet their Presbytery commitments in full.

Public Worship
Calderbank's morning worship is at 10.00 a.m. The service in Broomknoll starts at 11.30 a.m. The age bias in both congregations is heavily towards the senior citizen population, but there has been a significant growth in youth activity - both in Sunday Schools and in uniformed organisations. The leaders of these groups have a high percentage of young parents.



We regard this area as our main potential for growth and we have willing workers who will develop this further. We have prepared a plan for making positive contact with the new owners of the many houses being built in our parish areas.

Broomknoll Church has had an Education Committee for some 20 years. The committee plans and co-ordinates the contributions of the various Sunday Schools and organisations. The Convenor reports developments to every Kirk Session meeting. The minister is always an ex-officio member of this committee.

In order to satisfy the requirements of Child Protection Legislation, it was necessary to increase the number of helpers available. This was achieved by adding to the number of those who were running our Sunday activities more or less every week, a group of helpers who could commit themselves to a month at a time. All have received training and have had the relevant SCRO checks.

The Manse
Broomknoll's manse is situated at 38 Commonhead Street at the north side of the town virtually next door to Airdrie Golf Club.



It is in good repair. The report of the inspection at the start of the vacancy in January 2007 indicates that one or two loose roof tiles need securing, and that moss should be removed from gutters. The manse is a 6 apartment stone built house. It benefits from the complete replacement of all double glazing windows and doors last year. We have set aside an annual budget for redecoration of the manse: this may be varied according to need in any particular year.

Church Activities
Within Calderbank the Guild (17 members) meets every Monday, the Brownies (24 Girls) meet every Wednesday and the Sunday Club for Children (10 Children) is run in conjunction with the service. The numbers may be small but the talent and enthusiasm are ample compensation.

Broomknoll Guild (32 Members) also meets every Monday night and has an extensive programme of visiting speakers. It has several open nights each year and these are also attended by some 14 men in addition to the ladies and their guests.

The Men's Club (12 members) meets on Tuesday evenings. The choir meets for practice on Wednesday evenings.

Uniformed organisations in Broomknoll include our Boys' Brigade with:
Anchor Boys: (5-8), Junior Section: (8-10), Company Section (11-18). Our present strength is 56 and 8 Officers

Our Girls' Brigade has:
Explorers (5-7), Juniors and Seniors (8-14) and Brigaders (15+). At present we have 48 girls together with 7 officers.

We run a pre-school Toy Library at 10.00 a.m. every Wednesday morning. This inter-denominational group allows children to play together in an enjoyable safe environment.

Other Activities:
Both Churches extend the use of their halls to approved activities in the Community. In Calderbank during the summer months a Craft Class is held on Mondays. On Tuesdays there is a dancing class specialising in Cheerleading and in Disco. On Thursdays Highland Dancing is the theme and Karate is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Within Broomknoll many outside groups use the suite of halls on a regular basis: Scottish Country Dancing, Ladies' Keep Fit, Thursday Afternoon Club, Breathe Easy (North Lanarkshire) and two separate groups of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Church halls in Broomknoll are in use from Monday to Saturday every day of the week and this makes an important statement about our Outreach work.

In this context, Friday is a most active day. In the morning volunteer staff are in the kitchen from 07.00 a.m. preparing food for the snack bar. From 08.15 am others are setting out the 12 or more stalls and clothes racks for the Nearly New. The customers are mainly not members of Broomknoll or Calderbank, but it receives warm support from members too. There are a large number of `regulars' who rely on this service to pick up a bargain and to have a snack at a very reasonable price. It provides a valuable point of contact with hundreds of people.

The Outreach Snack Bars and Kitchen Staff


The Nearly New Mini Market

The Internet Cafe
This development started in September 2006. Every second Saturday, at the same time as the Saturday Coffee morning is running, we operate a 'Computer Cafe'.

It was primarily set up to allow youngsters to meet friends within a safe relaxed context and to allow the supervised use of the Internet.

There is no charge to the children using this service, but they do pay for their 'crisps and ginger!'

The material used on the Saturday is mainly games software, but this allows us to use religious software on the same system on a Sunday. This is the newest development and we are excited about its expansion.

Visiting Church Members
We have an experienced team of volunteers who undertake visits to members of the church. These visits are most frequently to those who are housebound, or lonely, or recently bereaved, or to those who have returned from hospitalisation. Often these visits are in response to a request. We recognise that there are occasions when a visit from the minister is what would be best. Our service is to allow this to happen whenever it is needed and to support our minister in the pastoral care of the congregation.

Our Vacancy
The linked charge of Airdrie Broomknoll with Calderbank is currently vacant following the retirement of our minister at the end of last year. We have been granted a call for a minister on the basis of a'7 - year reviewable tenure'. We believe that the challenge of the linked charge (town and village) is an interesting one - not a daunting one. We believe that we have experienced people in both churches who will provide valuable support. We are not expecting our minister to "do it all" for us.

AIRDRIE BROOMKNOLL linked with CALDERBANK
7 Year Reviewable Tenure

Both Congregations are active, friendly, forward looking and committed to the continuation and development of our witness.

We are looking for a Minister with commitment to the calling - an enthusiastic preacher who will share with us the pastoral care of the congregations. Ability to communicate with all age groups would be an advantage.

Parish profile can be obtained by contacting the Clerk to Nominating Committee Miss A Gray 5 Craiglea Place, Airdrie ML6 7EX to whom applications should be submitted.

E-mail: Miss A Gray.

Informal Enquiries to Interim Moderator Rev Graham Raeburn: Tel: 01698 383858

E-mail: Rev Graham Raeburn.

If you feel that God may be bringing us to your attention, please visit us to see for yourself what we actually do.

Our new revised web site is now live at: Broomknoll Church



Contact e-mail addresses are:

General Enquiries.

Board Chair - Alistair MacLeod.

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© Iain Morrison 2008