St John

Introduction

The parish of Saint John's was established in 1905. The building has huge laminated wooden trusses, each weighing two tons, supporting the roof.

Architecture and furnishings

Four large stained glass windows and the gable-end window of Saint John were executed in France by M. Gabriel Loire of Chartres. The brass font depicts a half trunk of a tree with a fawn sheltering beneath, with Latin words around the lip. The baptismal font was moved to the front of the chapel in front of the Resurrection window in the 1980s. The roof is supported by huge laminated wood trusses.

The chapel has only two brick walls at the gable ends, while the sides consist of stained and frosted glass windows, with no pillars supporting the roof. The coloured glass windows, made in France by M. Gabriel Lore, artist of Chartres, depict four biblical scenes and Saint John. The first window depicts 'The Creation' with the Hand of the Creator and newly created waters and stars. The second window shows 'The Fall of Man' with the serpent and the forbidden fruit.

The third window depicts 'The Redemption' with a cross, wheat and grapes. The gable-end window depicts Saint John the Evangelist recoiling from a chalice. The baptistry window depicts the Dove, the Baptismal Candle, and an anchor.

The font is made of brass in the form of a half tree trunk with a fawn in front and a snail on the rear side. The church contains the only wooden altar in the diocese and an all-brass font shaped like a tree trunk with a brass fawn.

Music and liturgy

The new Compton organ, the first part costing £2,000, was played by Mr. H. McFarlane, principal teacher of music at Saint Michael's College, Irvine. The window in the choir loft above the Baptismal window depicts Saint John, the patron saint of the Parish.

Sacraments and pastoral care

About twice a year, the parish organises functions to raise funds for the community in Brazil. The money has been used for different needs, including building a hall, organising meetings, and on one occasion to bury someone.

Visiting

Visitors enter through the porch, passing two holy water fonts and a plaque commemorating the 1962 foundation stone laying. Further up the Kilwinning Aisle, in a recess in the pews, the baptismal font is positioned. The fourth biblical scene, The Resurrection, is depicted in stained glass beside the font. The Resurrection window shows the light of the first Easter morning with the Angel of the Resurrection standing to the right.

The font is situated so the congregation can assist at the Easter Vigil blessing of the font or at any particular Baptism. So great was the demand by non-Catholics to inspect the church that an 'open day' was being considered.