Renton-born minister’s remarkable legacy

Feb 12 2010 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

LIZ Houston vividly recalls scrambling around in the dark on a hill behind Gartocharn.

Unusual magnetic activity in the atmosphere meant the aurora borealis – the stunning Northern Lights – were visible.

“We went up to Blackford Farm,” Liz recalls. “It was pitch black and we were bumping into everything. It was hilarious.

“But the results were spectacular. And it’s a memory that will always be with me.”

Liz still has the photograph her dad Peter Houston took that night seven years ago. It hangs, framed, in the hallway, just one reminder of the remarkable life of a remarkable man.

Renton-born Peter – minister, writer, musician, photographer, broadcaster and, to all who knew him, lovable rogue – died on January 18.

He leaves behind a legacy which Liz has already begun to piece together as a tribute to her father’s life.

She is in the final stages of compiling a publication which contains some of Peter’s memoirs from his days as a pioneer of industrial chaplaincy.

And she is grateful that she had the opportunity to read the book in its entirety to Peter before his death, aged 81, at Lochside Care Home in Rhu.

Peter was the son of David Houston, who worked at the torpedo factory in Alexandria and in a local printworks. His mother Mary was an examiner in the Dalquhurn Woollen Factory and was awarded the MBE for her work with the Penny Savings Bank during the war.

Peter worked as a messenger boy for the ARP during the war. It was then that his love – and gift – for music emerged and he played piano accordion with local dance bands.

“He was a skilled musician who could turn his hand to virtually any instrument, though the piano was his greatest love,” said Liz, minister of Alexandria Parish Church.

Peter was later the driving force behind the Leven Valley Stompers, the jazz group at his daughter’s church. For 10 years he co-ordinated jazz services, arranging and writing much of the jazz and blues numbers.

The evenings also brought out Peter’s legendary wicked sense of humour.

Liz recalls: “He’d rehearse all afternoon with the choir who would have everything written down. Then during the service he’d do something completely different and catch them out.”

Peter, Liz told a packed Alexandria Church at her dad’s funeral service last Friday, liked to do things “his way”.

Called up for national service in 1946, he served with the Royal Artillery. Due to his big brother David being a captain, Peter refused a commission and became a sergeant.

He spent much of his service years in Austria with the Special Mountain Service, mainly on border patrol, and played in regimental dance bands.

Peter intended on becoming a journalist on leaving the army, but his life took a different direction when he was called to the ministry.

He remained a card-carrying photo journalist all his life, using his gift with words and communication in worship, poetry and prose, and in his role as a religious programme producer and presenter with the former Q96FM and Clan FM.

Peter’s first placement was as assistant at Dumbarton Old Parish Church, now Riverside. While there he married Nan Beveridge in Renton Union Church in 1952. Later that year he moved to his first charge, Craigneuk Bellhaven between Motherwell and Wishaw.

Liz was born in 1953 and three years later, the couple had a second daughter, Margaret. Sadly Margaret died of leukaemia in 1984.

It was while in Craigneuk that Peter became involved in industrial mission and he was the first chaplain to Ravenscraig Steel Works. In 1963 he was called to Renfrew Old Parish, where he remained till 1997.

During that time he became chaplain at Renfrew Airport and then at Glasgow International Airport from its opening in 1966 until 2002.

Peter was heavily involved in the creation of the airport chapel and the development of a multi-faith chaplaincy there. He also served as chaplain with the police, fire service and at Renfrew High School.

On retiring, Peter and Nan moved to Jamestown where he spent many months conducting worship in Luss, Arrochar and Rhu during vacancies.

In 2002 he was appointed locum minister at Kilmaronock Gartocharn Parish until the charge was filled, and the same year was made Associate Minister Emeritus by Alexandria Parish Church to mark his 50 years of ordination.

It was after a pastoral visit in Croftamie in October 2004 that Peter collapsed at home with a major stroke. His speech was seriously impaired and eventually he required full-time nursing care.

Despite severely restricted movement and speech, Peter remained in high spirits during his five years at Lochside.

Liz laughs as she remembers visits when she, her mum and dad, would sing their favourite songs and hymns.

She said: “Although dad couldn’t speak he could still sing. I’m sure the staff all thought we were mad!

“Dad couldn’t speak or get out of his wheelchair but you always came out with your sides sore from laughing.

“Thankfully for most of his time in Lochside he was great. The deterioration only started last October. Until then he was still reading, watching the boats going up and down the Clyde, and taking pictures when he could.”

Liz and her mum are now busy sorting through decades of photographs and writings of Peter’s which they hope will, one day, make another fascinating volume of thoughts and memories.

Liz says: “It’s amazing what I’ve discovered. Dad had a real grip of theology but it was an active theology. He loved people and he loved being around them.”