Parish History
A Growing New Town
New Town Development, 1960s
Cumbernauld was founded in 1955 and its rapid growth necessitated the provision of churches for the Catholic population, which had previously been served from Holy Cross, Croy. Sacred Heart Parish was established in 1959, but by the time the church was built, the number of people in the town had risen greatly, especially in the Carbrain and Seafar areas. This created the need for another church to serve these areas and, in June 1967, Archbishop Scanlan agreed to establish a new parish church in Cumbernauld, placing it under the patronage of St. Joseph.
Founding the Parish
Our Patron, St Joseph
On 8 September 1967, Fr. James Quinn left St. Martin’s in Castlemilk with the task of founding the new parish. He was based at Sacred Heart with Fr. Jaconelli until a suitable house was found. It was at Sacred Heart that Fr. Quinn baptised the first child in the new parish. He was joined by the first curate, the newly ordained Fr. John McGuire, in July 1968. Three months later, the two priests moved into 13 Craigieburn Road, Carbrain, which was to be the heart of the parish for the next few years. It was here that Mass was said each day in the small oratory.
Building Community
First Communion at St Mary’s P.S., 1969
On 29 October 1967, Mark James O’Brien became the first child baptised at 13 Craigieburn Road, Carbrain. For Sundays and Holy days, however, the premises were too small, and Dumbarton Education Authority agreed to the use of St. Mary’s Primary School. The first confirmations in the parish took place at Sacred Heart Church on the 13 June 1969, when Archbishop Scanlan administered the Sacrament to 86 boys and 99 girls from St. Joseph’s.
The Solemn Opening
The Church building (north side)
By 1970, a site had been found for St. Joseph’s church at the top of Broomlands Road. Messrs. Lane, Bremner and Garnet were given the contract and drew on their experience to design a structure which would suit the site. The church was designed to accommodate 550 people and was built with an “open plan” nave with a balcony above and side sacristy which connected to the presbytery via a side door. Archbishop Scanlan blessed and laid the foundation stone on 28 May 1970, and he returned on Friday 8 October 1971 for the Solemn Opening of St. Joseph’s. The wedding of Francis Dennison and Mary Theresa Clark, the first to be held in the new church, took place the very next day.
From Strength to Strength
Ordination of Peter Smith, 1982
The parish continued to expand, which can be seen in the numbers baptised – 47 in 1969, 52 in 1970, 66 in 1972 and 73 in 1976. The records show that baby Noreen Mary Slaven, baptised 6 June 1970, was among the first to be baptised in the new church, shortly before it was opened by the Archbishop. Having overseen the establishment of the parish, Fr. James Quinn was transferred to St. Gabriel’s, Merrylee, in 1975. The parish has since been served by a number other priests. In 1982, the parish celebrated the ordination of Peter Smith, the first parishioner to be ordained from St. Joseph’s. Peter left Our Lady’s High School, Cumbernauld, to study for the priesthood and on 29 June, the church was packed to capacity as Archbishop Winning ordained Fr. Smith.
A Modern Parish
The Church building (south side)
The church building itself has undergone numerous developments since its foundation. Improvements to the heating system and roofing were made in the 1980s.A new sacristy was opened at the back of the nave making use of the veranda area under the balcony. Seating was replaced with new benches acquired from St. Stephen’s, Sighthill which were more appropriate for a modern church. Fr. Harry McKay facilitated the building of a hall to promote the social life of the parish and to give the youth a church-based focal point. More recently, Fr. Harry brought St. Joseph’s right into the 21st Century by installing air to air heat pumps and solar panels, which have greatly improved the heating situation and dramatically reduced electricity bills.