Shotts was a place of importance in the early 1800's due to the Shotts Iron Works
who made gas lamp standards which were exported all over the world and the heading that was used then was, "SHOTTS
LIGHTS THE WORLD" Shotts was also known for the Covenanters, Shotts Kirk Church which stands on the
Shotts Hills can be seen by all travellers who come along the M8 Motorway, and the church yard has a Covenanter's
grave and still to this day a yearly conventicle takes place, along with Darmeid, Starryshaw & Peden's stane.
It was in the year 1888 that a group of people in Shotts got together with an idea of an evengelical church in Shotts.
One of the founder members was Billy Cullen, this was initially a tin hut with a log burning stove for heating.
So the Dykehead Mission Hall was dedicated to the Lord's work in Shotts.
We had
links with the (L.C.U.) Lanarkshire Christian Union, who held many conferences in this small church, and these were always
full to capacity, and sometimes it was standing room only.
Rena Nicol (Cullen) was involved
in the Mission up till her death in December 2006 (age 83). (1923-2006)
The Mission hall went through a period of upgrade in 1953 and saw the hall rebuilt of brick and the installation
of electric heating and a Baptismal tank was built into the platform. The MP at the time the late Miss Margaret Herbison donated
three seats for the platform which are still in existance today.
At
times there were about 250 children on the Sunday School Roll and the Mission was always remembered for the Sunday School
trips to places like Girvan, Ayr, Troon & North Berwick, and the best part was the meal that was served and we had
a good time of fellowship, then it was home.
I remember at the Sunday School we used to collect
" Ship Ha'penny's" or (half a penny) for the missionarys like Mary McLean, Babs Bamford,
Tom & Elizabeth Martin, Margaret Ramsay, and many more.
The Gospel Tea Meetings that used
to be held on a Saturday from September - June were fantastic and many were saved through the preaching of the gospel by people
like Duncan Donaldson, Jackie Boyd, Arthur Nelson, Jim Nicol (Sen) Rev. George Porter, The Ross Brothers, and many more good men of God.
Sometimes this small hall had over 100 people in
it (dont know how we managed it) Many Preachers came to speak in the Missions from places like, Assemblies of God
Kilsyth, Harthill Penticostal Church, Bethel Mission Ayr, Congregational Church (Shotts) & many more.Yes we had good times
of fellowship.
One of the first youth groups was called,
C.E. Christian Endevor which ran for many years. Then in 1969 the Young Life Guards which was part of "The
Lord's Day Observance Society" from Edinburgh sadly not many people observe the Lord's Day now.
The Woman's Meeting which ran for many years on a Wednesday saw many unsaved people coming in under the sound
of the Gospel and many made a commitment through this ministry.
The Dykehead Mission Hall
is still "Letting our Light so shine before men so that they may see our good works and Glorify
God"
The teachings that were with the
Mission Hall in 1888 are the same to day.
"We
Preach Christ Crucified"
"Yesterday
today forever Jesus is the same,all may change but Jesus NEVER Glory to his Name"
