About Us

Although one of the larger URC congregations in Scotland, with approximately 110 members, we are, when compared with our ecumenical neighbours, one of the smaller churches in Rutherglen. As a congregation we seek to be a friendly, welcoming and inclusive church. Over the years we have shown ourselves to be a church which is willing to change it's buildings, its structures and its attitudes to wider society as it seeks to proclaim a Christian message that is relevant and meaningful in today's society.

Within Rutherglen URC the importance of the Church Meeting has remained constant over the decades and it is in that meeting that all major decisions and appointments are made. In 2011 it was agreed by the Church Meeting to try a new structure and so now each year the Church Meeting appoints 'The Hub' a group of about 12 people who oversee the running of the church. In addition there are four further groups - the Deacons (with responsibility for pastoral care, worship and Christian nuture), the Fellowship Group, Finance Group and the Administration Group. These groups oversee the many tasks which are undertaken, on the church's behalf, by a number of individuals.

As a congregation we have strong links with Rutherglen High School (an additional support needs school) and we actively support the Cambuslang and Rutherglen Reachout Trust, Starter Packs Glasgow and FARE (Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse) as well as supporting other groups and charities on an occasional basis. We are also members of CAPiR (Churches Action Partnership in Rutherglen) - the ecumenical church body in Rutherglen.

We are a 'Fairtrade Church' and show our support for the fair trade movement in a number of ways - one of which was the provision of a free meeting place for the Camglen Fair Trade Steering Group who in 2011 celebrated the declarations of both Rutherglen and Cambuslang as the Worlds equal 1000th fair trade towns. We also supply fairly traded coffee, tea and sugar for the use of those who meet in our halls.

Some News (13th November 2016)
The General Assembly of The United Reformed Church decided when it met in Southport in July 2016 that it could not speak for the whole of The United Reformed Church regarding the issue of same sex marriages taking place in United Reformed Church buildings. The final decision, after a lot of discussion, was that each United Reformed Church would be able to decide at a Church Meeting if the members there wished their buildings to be used for same sex marriages.
Here in Rutherglen United Reformed Church we had several meetings to talk about this issue and looked at many of the factors involved and eventually 58 members took part in a vote. Forty-five members voted in favour, twelve voted against and one member registered an abstention.
Rutherglen United Reformed Church has therefore decided that its building can be used for same-sex marriage services

More information about the Church and what we do can be found in the Local Mission and Ministry Review (LMMR) section.

We have a constitution and various polices. For details see this page

Brief History

The first service of Rutherglen Congregational Church was held on the 19th of May 1901 in the Harriet Street Hall. Many of those who formed that congregation had been members of the Evangelical Union Church in the town but had left en-masse – their reasons for doing so have not been unearthed as yet! After worshipping there for two years the congregation then moved into a purpose built church on East Main Street and remained there until 1935 when they moved into their current building on Johnstone Drive. On 1st April 2000 as a result of a union between the ‘Congregational Union of Scotland’ and the ‘United Reformed Church’ the church became known as Rutherglen United Reformed Church. During 2001 the church embarked on a major redevelopment of the building and the centenary of the church was celebrated in the refurbished sanctuary. In the next two years the halls were extended and redesigned to ensure that the building was accessible to all and provided community groups with attractive yet affordable facilities in which to meet.

The Sanctuary

The sanctuary in Johnstone Drive has been redeveloped over the years. The Organ console which was in front of the pulpit was moved – firstly to the ‘Choir Loft’ and then having been damaged, following burst pipes, was replaced by a digital console which was situated on the left side of the chancel. In 2001 when the Sanctuary was redecorated as part of a wider redevelopment of the whole building the pews were replaced with chairs and the chancel was widened in order to create a more flexible worship space. In 2011 the church installed a stained glass window in place of the central section of organ pipes.

The Church in 2001

The church in 2012

The stained glass windows were designed and made by Revd John H. Wilson who served as minister of Rutherglen Congregational Church from 1967 - 1997.
They were dedicated by the Revd Roberta Rominger, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church at our Anniversary Service in May 2011

Local Mission and Ministry Review (LMMR)

The final report of our second Local Mission and Ministry Review (LMMR) is now available. To find out more about LMMR and to view our first report, visit our LMMR page.

Rutherglen United Reformed Church. Scottish Charity Number. SC017385