The church was intentionally torched in August of the current year. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
Amidst the debris of an “emblematic” church from the 1960s, a time capsule has surfaced. During August, St Mungo’s Church in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, was purposely set ablaze, as locals congregated to observe the “prominent” structure consumed by flames.
The church was conceived by Brutalist designer Alan Reiach, at a time when the new town was gaining worldwide recognition for its post-war architecture. It was a modernistic structure featuring an atypical pyramid-shaped roof, intended to allow light to enter, and held a B listing for its historical importance.
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However, following its complete destruction, a local discovered a news story commemorating the placement of the cornerstone in November 1964, which also alluded to the burial of a time capsule – prompting its unearthing. Morag Rusk, the parish’s session clerk, located the original order of service from the cornerstone’s laying in her mother’s possessions.
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She informed the demolition crews, summoned to clear the remnants of the incinerated edifice, who unearthed the capsule within the rubble.
Ms Rusk stated: “I possessed the order of service from November 7, 1964, stored by my mother, but wasn’t aware a time capsule had been placed in the foundations.
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“I also was contacted by a member of the congregation concerning it because she too possessed a duplicate of the order of service from her parents.
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“It detailed that ‘a container holding documents and coinage will be placed in the foundations’ and she communicated her hope it could be located. I instructed the demolition team to be vigilant for it, and remarkably, they discovered it within the wreckage and transferred it to us.”
The metallic container held copies of the Cumbernauld News, encompassing an edition from October 16, 1964, that contained an announcement concerning the passing of St Mungo’s presiding minister, Rev. Simon Roy MacKintosh, who was deeply involved in strategies to construct a distinctive religious building.
An additional edition from November 6, 1964, conveyed that the cornerstone was to be positioned the following day by Gen. Sir Richard O’Connor, who functioned as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland that year, acting as an envoy for Queen Elizabeth II.
Also contained within the time capsule was a selection of pre-decimal currency, preliminary concepts from the parish minister for a potential layout of the structure, and documentation from the Linlithgow and Falkirk Presbytery pertaining to the undertaking.
The time capsule was opened in the Cafe Church, and Mrs Rusk characterized it as a “splendid and unexpected discovery”. Communion implements made of pewter were additionally recovered from the building’s remains.
Mrs Rusk expressed: “We unlocked the container at the Cafe Church several weeks ago, and its contents were densely packed. It constitutes such a splendid and unexpected treasure.
“Despite the misfortune of losing the building in such adverse circumstances, the area has since been cleared, and the congregation harbors a hopeful perspective concerning the future as discussions concerning the possibility of erecting a new modern church structure at the site are underway.”
She mentioned: “It was an iconic landmark and the pyramid tower was visible as you entered the town from any direction, Glasgow, Airdrie, and Falkirk.”
Mr. Reiach, who encountered renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright while residing in the United States, proceeded to become a distinguished architect in his own capacity.
Law enforcement is soliciting information pertaining to the conflagration. Det Sgt Craig Jeffrey, of Police Scotland, declared: “Investigations thus far have determined the fire was intentional.
“We are urging anyone who may have observed anything to reach out to us. We also ask that anyone possessing footage of the locale at the time to please step forward.”