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 Castehead Church in 1975, the Middle Church was converted into flats in 2001
"Wee Leach"
Smoking his clay pipe
"Who is that mysterious figure on the
Local news paper published an article in 1820s and clamed that a fairy - like figure could be seen perched on the top of the
Reports of 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
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"
Poem: The Twa Bells;
Ae night when tipsy an' our late,
Gaun strachering by the hie kirk gate,
I thought I heard a sound come doon,
Fra the high battlements aboon,
A solem plaintive lengthened strain,
Like that of wailing age in pain,
Then next I heard a hollow noise,
It seamed as fra the grave it spoke,
Responding upwards to the clock,
My hair stood up, I dinda ken,
It might be ghosts or doctors men,
Mist black wi fear, my teeth a, clacking,
I, listening, heard the twa bells cracking;
High Church (1863) --145 Year Old Tragedy
4 Men
Henry Hamilton,
Peter Lyle,
James Gillespie uninjured,
&
John Gillespie.
Fresh information on a story which has its roots in Victorian Paisley,
Has been unearthed by local historian Les Fernie
And it reveals more of the legend of the heart, the handkerchief and the spectacles which lie in the shadow of the town's High Church.
Legend has it about the three emblems, created from cobbles in Oakshaw Street.
ROOF JUMP LED TO DEATH FALLS
Editions of the Paisley Herald form1863 yielded up new details on the 145-year-old tragedy.
Les account, taken from the yellowing copies of -the old newspaper, is:
"The accident, by which the three men have lost their lives, occurred on Thursday morning at the High Church. (September 5, 1863).
For the previous two days a squad of men in the employment of Bailie Gillespie, had been busy Re-slating the roof of that building.
Things continued going in the most satisfactory manner, till about eight o'clock on the morning in question, when the unfortunate accident occurred.
"The north side of the roof had been stripped and the first course of new slates was laid. The line was being stretched for the regulation of the second course when it knotted.
The men who were stretching it — Henry Hamilton and John Gillespie — came-towards the knot to unravel it. James Gillespie was standing in the same place . . ."At this juncture
Some new slates which were lying on the other side of the three men. "Lyle, it is stated, instead of waiting till the knot had been undone . . . sprang onto the sarking of the roof, and came down with a heavy thump on the scaffolding
"The jerk caused one of the needles supporting the scaffolding to give way, and the four men were thrown out. John Gillespie, Lyle and Hamilton were thrown to the ground, a height of 32ft.
"Lyle fell on a quantity of slates. James Gillespie, as if by a miracle, escaped uninjured.
He fell a distance of about five feet, and seizing the Rhone with one hand and the ladder with another, saved him self.
"The other three men were removed as carefully and expeditiously as possible to the infirmary, where Hamilton died about 1O. am and at 2. p.m. the same day. John Gillespie died
Lyle did not succumb so soon, but expired the following evening at 8 p.m."
The men, all members of Paisley Fire Brigade, left three- widows and 14 children.