Kenzie Allan, 92, and Isabelle Alexander, 93, have lived long enough to see the church celebrate 100 years and 150 years in existence and they were at the heart of the latest landmark celebrations.

The congregation of the iconic building gathered to mark the milestone on Thursday morning last week, where Isabelle, as the congregation’s oldest member, was guest of honour and cut the celebration cake.

Bourock Church on Main Street held a special service 175 years from the day it opened its doors in 1840.

During that time, the industrial revolution has come and gone, men and women have fought and died in several wars and Barrhead itself has experienced continued development to become the place we know so well today.

However, throughout the changing days, the iconic steeple and clock of Bourock Church has always dominated the skyline, and the building itself has changed little in almost 100 years.

Church elders and members of the congregation came together to celebrate with a special cake cutting ceremony, which was carried out by the church’s oldest member, Isabelle Alexander, 93.

It has not been plain sailing for the church in recent years, when its continued existence was called into doubt as the Church of Scotland began combining congregations, resulting in the closure of South and Levern Church with its congregation being amalgamated with Arthurlie Church, creating St Andrew’s Parish Church.

Bourock Church elder and session clerk Elizabeth McKenzie told The News: “It was a worrying couple of years for us in here because we were unsure if we would even reach this anniversary.

“Obviously some churches were being combined and South and Levern closed which was a real shame, but thankfully we have managed to stay open, and celebrate this great day.” Across the country, churches have been forced to deal with a shortage of new ministers being ordained, and falling attendances.

The Church of Scotland has been forced to review local parishes and their sizes to save costs.

Elizabeth continued: “It is a very sad thing that attendance numbers at churches are continuing to fall.

“But we are very proud of the history in this church, it’s an iconic building and everyone in Barrhead knows it very well.

“The clock on the front of our steeple is a big talking point, and when it was broken for a few years we were always being asked when it was going to be fixed because people driving past always checked it for the time.

“We are all very much delighted to be celebrating this milestone today, and I hope that we will be celebrating the church’s 200th anniversary in another 25 years.” After a morning service in the church itself, the congregation made its way downstairs where they enjoyed tea, cake and coffee.

A special cake was commissioned for the event and the entire congregation sang happy birthday to the church.

The congregation’s two oldest members, Isabelle, who cut the cake, and 92-year-old Kenzie Allan both posed for a picture too.

Isabelle said: “It’s fantastic, I’m honoured to have been a part of this.” Between them, Kenzie and Isabelle have seen more than half of the church’s life span, and have seen its 100th and 150th anniversaries come and go.

Kenzie said: “It’s a wonderful building, the people are wonderful, and it’s brilliant to be here celebrating this anniversary.” The roots of the church were formed in 1839, when George Boyle, the fourth Earl of Glasgow, gifted the land that the church is built on for the building of a new church in Barrhead. By July 23, 1840, the church had opened its door to the public.

The church takes its name from boorach or bourock, meaning a small knoll, a name which applied to the small hill the church will built on.

Originally part of Neilston Church until 1868, it would only become known as Barrhead Parish Church almost 20 years after it opened.

A fire broke out in 1854, which the ocngregation itself contained and fought until fire fighters arrived.

The spire, which can be seen from miles around, is 140 feet tall, and much of the stone that was used in the construction came from Freestone Quarry in Barrhead.

When built it could hold 1,000 people, and cost £3,000 to build — thought to be comparable to around half a million pounds in today’s money.

The church bell was not just an iconic symbol, it was also used to alert local workers when to begin and stop work four times a day, and it was installed by a young Paisley plumber called John Shanks — the same John Shanks who would go on to make his name, and Barrhead, a worldwide brand.

The church organ was installed in 1899 and it was rebuilt 90 years later in 1986.

The church hall to the right of the main building was dedicated in 1930.

In 1998 the church faced the major hurdle of raising £100,000 to repair its roof — a feat which they accomplished and had the church restored.

Currently the congregation are still searching for a permanent minister to take up the vacant role in the church, which is currently presided over by Rev. Pamela Gordon.

In August a larger celebratory service will be held where all the surviving past ministers will be in attendance.