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Admin
history |
Paisley Abbey was founded in 1169 by Walter, first High Steward of Scotland, who had six years prior, in 1163, transferred a monastic community to Paisley from an English Priory in Shropshire. Paisley originally belonged to the Abbey of Cluny but in 1219 was itself raised to the ranks of an Abbey. In 1560 at the reformation the Abbey of Paisley was suppressed and soon became the parish church of Paisley. A reader is noted to have been in place at Paisely Abbey (the First Charge) from 1572, probably a pre-Reformation priest. Much of the church was uninhabitable in the latter part of the 16th century and only the nave and the south transept were in a suitable condition. The north transept of the Abbey Church was roofless and remained so until restoration works were carried out between 1890 and 1907. Further restoration works took place in 1913, finishing the whole church including the tower, cloisters and some remains of the monastic buildings. A Second Charge was erected for the Abbey Parish in 1641, and in 1937 the First and Second Charges of Paisley Abbey Church united under the ministry of Rev Charles Guthrie Cooper, minister of the First Charge. Again in 1989 an extensive restoration plan commenced on the church. Paisley Abbey Kirk Session sits within the Presbytery of Paisley. |