This category of our web guide focuses on faith and spirituality in Newton Mearns, Scotland.
Newton Mearns is a suburban town in East Renfrewshire, just a few miles south-west of the Glasgow city centre, on the main road to Ayrshire.
With a population of about 27,000, the town is home to several places of worship, including four congregations of the Church of Scotland, a Baptist church, a Roman Catholic church, and a church associated with the Free Church of Scotland.
Additionally, Newton Mearns has an Islamic mosque and two Jewish synagogues. The town is home to approximately 25% of Scotland's Jewish community.
Formed in 1739, Newton Mearns Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. Built in 1939, its current structure is the fourth church to be built in Newton Means and the second to occupy the site since the first church was built in 1743.
The Mearns Kirk church building is one of the oldest in the area, dating back to 1813. The graveyard surrounding the church has been the final resting place of many parishioners. The oldest legible inscription is dated 1611, and the last internment was in the 1950s.
Saint Cadoc's Roman Catholic Church was formed in the 19th century, although it wasn't until 1966 that it was recognized as a parish in its own right, and its current church building was constructed in 1978.
Broom Parish Church, which was formed in 1960 and is located on Mearns Road in Newton Mearns, is a member of the Church of Scotland.
Maxwell Mearns Castle Parish Church was founded in 1970, originally formed when the Maxwell Parish Church congregation had to relocate due to the construction of the Kingston Bridge in the late 1960s. It is a member congregation of the Church of Scotland.
Founded in 1981, Newton Mearns Baptist Church is on Greenfarm Road in Newton Mearns.
Associated with the Free Church of Scotland, Mearns Free Church was founded in 2014.
Newton Mearns New Church is a relatively new congregation formed when members moved from Maxwell Mearns Castle Church of Scotland. Sunday services are held at 10:30 a.m. at Belmont House School.
The Newton Mearns Islamic Centre, also known as the East Ren Centre, was established in 2013 and has served the local Muslim community by providing a place for worship, education, and community activities.
The Glasgow Reform Synagogue in Newton Mearns is Scotland's only Reform Jewish synagogue. Founded in 1933, the congregation is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism.
Also known as Giffnock Shul, the Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue is the largest Orthodox synagogue in Scotland. It was formed in 2021 through a merger of the Giffnock Synagogue and the Newton Mearns Synagogue.
These, and any other ministries or places of worship in Newton Mearns, Scotland, are appropriate for this category, regardless of the religion, denomination, or sect.
Recommended Resources
Located in Newton Mearns, on the south side of Glasgow, Scotland, Broom Parish Church is part of the Church of Scotland. Sunday services are held at 10:00 a.m., and the church hosts a variety of activities throughout the week, including choir practices, community events, and special services during holidays like Easter and Christmas. Organisations associated with the church are highlighted, with schedules, contacts, and other details, and a church history is included.
https://www.broomchurch.org.uk/
Known as Glasgow Progressive Synagogue, then Glasgow New Synagogue, before taking its current name, Glasgow Reform Synagogue, is located in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, and a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism. Founded in 1933, the synagogue moved to its current premises in 1968. It offers a variety of services and activities, including weekly Shabbat services, educational programmes for adults and youth, support services, and various social events.
https://www.grs.org.uk/
Maxwell Mearns Castle Parish Church
The Church of Scotland congregation relocated from Glasgow to Newton Mearns in the late 1960s after being displaced by the construction of the Kingston Bridge. It moved into a modern building adjacent to the historic Mearns Castle, for which it is named. The church offers various services and activities, including Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m., followed by tea and coffee, and age-related groups for children and teens during the service. Audio and video recordings of Sunday services are available.
https://maxwellmearns.org/
South of Glasgow, in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, Mearns Free Church is part of the Free Church of Scotland. Formed in 2019, the congregation originated from Maxwell Mearns Castle Church of Scotland after the larger portion of that congregation left to establish a new church community. Its beliefs and an introduction to the Free Church of Scotland are provided, along with an introduction to its leadership, schedules, and access to the Mearns Free Church Magazine.
https://www.mearnsfree.org/
Also known as Mearns Parish Kirk, Mearns Kirk dates back to 1813 and is one of the oldest in the area. Located in Newton Mearns, the church is part of the Church of Scotland. Its address, a map showing its location, telephone number, and email address are posted on the website, and its service times, a calendar of upcoming programmes and events, and an overview of its groups are presented. An introduction to the church is provided for those who may be attending for the first time.
https://www.mearnskirk.church/
Offering a range of services and events, including Sunday worship, children's and youth groups, and midweek gatherings like the Oasis Cafe and Knit & Natter sessions, NMBC is in Newton Mearns, near Glasgow, Scotland. Its staff and leadership are introduced, and a calendar of events and programme schedules are posted, along with sermon replays, a sermon series, online Bible, and policy information. Vacancies are posted, and tickets are available for special events.
https://www.newtonmearnsbaptist.org.uk/
Also known as the East Ren Centre, the Newton Mearns Islamic Centre provides a place for prayer and various religious, educational, and social activities for the local Muslim community. Activities for male and female worshippers are provided, and prayer times are regularly updated on the website. Its history, services, and schedules are published on the site, which includes live audio and a gallery of photographs, phone number, email address, and an online enquiry form.
https://nmislamiccentre.org.uk/
Newton Mearns New Church is a relatively new congregation formed in 2023 by members who moved from Maxwell Mearns Castle Church of Scotland to create a new church community focused on Reformed, Presbyterian, and evangelical beliefs. A statement of beliefs, an introduction to the church for those who may be attending for the first time, and an introduction to the church leadership are set forth, along with its address, a map showing its location, and an online contact form are provided.
https://www.nmnewchurch.org/
Organised in 1739, the congregation met in a building in the village of Kilbarchan for four years while its sanctuary was constructed in Newton Mearns. The current church building is the fourth church to be built in Newton Mearns and the second to occupy the site since the first building was completed in 1743. The church's history is provided, along with its location, office hours, contacts, and an introduction to the pastor. Other resources include a gallery of photographs.
https://www.newtonmearnsparish.org.uk/
Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paisley, Saint Cadoc's Roman Catholic Church is on Fruin Avenue in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland. Schedules and policies for Holy Mass, Sacraments, Liturgies, RCIA, and adult formation in faith are presented, along with an overview of its parish ministries, justice and peace projects, special programmes and activities, parish weekly bulletins, vocations, a lectionary, and links to other online Catholic resources and educational material.
https://www.stcadocsrcparish.org.uk/
