The New Church
Given the background, something had to be done to replace the church building. In a way we would be familiar with today, a committee was elected to represent the Kirk Session and to meet with the Heritors whose permission was necessary to go ahead with plans for a reconstruction. They still had to ensure that they would continue to have their allocated places in the gallery but the role of the newcomers, on whom would fall much of the cost, was demonstrated in their reserved places in the "area".
Sydney Mitchell, a prominent architect involved in the burgeoning Arts and Crafts movement of the time, was chosen to design the building and his plans were eventually approved. Financing had all the familiar problems and was eventually completed due to the generosity of one of the elders. While the new building was being erected, the congregation worshipped in a slightly refurbished "Iron Hall", effectively the church hall of the time. This was situated on the present site of the Loan Hall, still a church building in extensive use. At last all was ready and the building was dedicated on Saturday 4th April, 1908. A full report of that appeared in the local paper.
The new church was of its time. It was square in shape, had a steel frame with ultra modern gas lighting and heating, a coterie of exuberant plaster angels looking down from the vaulted ceiling with cherubs carved at the top of the stone pillars, a chancel decorated with green stencil work, places reserved for the Heritors and their retainers - and a vestry. The campanile from the previous building was reflected in the tower of the new church and a small organ was installed.
The design and decoration of the building owed much to the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. This effectively meant that the church and many of its fixtures and fittings, even down to the seats in the gallery, were conceived, designed and made as an entity. It was truly a building to be proud of.