High Church Oakshaw Trinity
Church Hill is a very steep road leading from the High Street. The High Church dominants the top of the road and its spire dominants the Skyline of Paisley.
The High Church is ashlar rectangle with arched windows it has five-stage tower with the fourth set back and the fifth octagonal surmounted by a spire.
The architect was John White. The Church was built between 1750 and 1754 the steeple in 1770 and the interior was re-cast in a Renaissance manner in 1877.
To the east and half way down Church Hill is the Middle Church, this building is quoined rubble rectangle with a period roof. It has a two-storey treatment and windows are arched at the first floor.
The architect was Samuel Henning and the Church was built in the period 1779 to 1781 with its interior re-cast in 1884. After the congregation amalgamated with that of Canal Church to form Castelhead Church in 1975, the Middle Church was converted into flats in 2001.
“Wee Leach”
“Who is that mysterious figure on the High Church spire? His name is “Wee Leach” he was a ghostly, fairy – like figure that made its way up to the top of the church spire.Local news paper published an article in 1820s and clamed that a fairy – like figure could be seen perched on the top of the High Church spire smoking his clay pip. Large crowds of onlookers gathered at the top of Churchill Brae to get a closer look at this little wonder fairy – like figure on the top of the High Church spire.They came from all parts of the town, along with fleshers’ shops, weavers, drawer boys, and girls who abandoned their shuttle and looms.
They all came for themselves to see this magical sceptical but it was only those blest with good eyesight swore they saw him, for those who could not see him purchased glasses of all shapes and sizes with the hope of catching a glimpse of “Wee Leach” on the spire.Outside on Church Hill are markings with the shape of a pair of glasses in the pavement and it is thought if you put your feet inside the glasses you might catch a glimpse of “Wee Leach”
