Church’s golden milestone

A GOLDEN milestone was reached by St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Perth on Saturday.

The congregation and wider community came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Glenearn Road church, initially consecrated on October 18, 1958.

The festivities were led by Bishop of Dunkeld Vincent Logan, who paid tribute to all who had contributed to the life of the parish over the past five decades.

He said, “At just 50 years old, St Mary Magdalene’s may be a relative youngster in comparison to some of the parishes in our diocese.

“But over half a century —that somehow seems longer than 50 years—a great deal has been packed in by the faith community who have worshipped here.”

The church was initially served by Monsignor Coogan, from St John’s, Melville Street, and shortly afterward Canon McIntosh arrived as parish priest.

The present parish priest is Mgr Charles Hendry, assisted by Father Andrew Clark, who is also chaplain to Perth Prison.

Three sons of the parish have become priests; Father Ronald McAinsh, now based at St Mary’s Kinnoull, who is Provincial of the Redemptorist Order; Canon John Harty who is parish priest of St Pius and Our Lady of Sorrows, Dundee; and the late Father Donald Grant, who was a Carmelite.