Bo'ness, Carriden Brae, Carriden Parish Church

Peter MacGregor Chalmers designed Carriden Parish Church in 1908-9 adopting his favoured Romanesque style. A four stage west tower marks the entrance with its stone pyramidal spire. The six bay aisled nave leads to the apse-ended chancel with elders' seats occupying the apse arcade. The carved capitals depict biblical scenes. MacGregor Chalmers' original furnishings survive. To the north the baptistery, with its original Romanesque stone font, occupies a further apse. Its half dome features a mural with inset semi precious stones depicting Our Lord and Little Children.

The north aisle is widened to form a chapel. The organ by Blacket and Howden of 1925 came from the John Knox Church in Glasgow and was installed in the south transept in 1943. The two storey session house and vestry continues the south transept beyond.

The chancel apse contains three stained glass windows depicting St George, Christ and St James all of 1912. The baptistery apse has a single light of the Virgin and Child dated 1928. In the north aisle is work by the St Enoch Studio, A Carrick Whalen and Roland Mitton. In the south aisle are two further works by Whalen, one by Mitton and one by G T S Gould. In the tower above the entrance is a single light of 1935 depicting Elijah.

Information from RCAHMS (STG), 2004

ARCHITECT: Dr. Peter McGregor Chalmers, 1909