The Great Church Parade and Conventicle
Sunday 10th September 1933

On Sunday 10^th September, morning services were held at Jordanhill College (where 800 visiting officers were staying) and afterwards the Brigade Executive held their meeting.

In the afternoon the Conventicle (derived from the simple religious meetings held secretly by the Scottish Covenanters in the 17th Century ‘under the canopy of heaven’) was held at Queen’s Park Football Club. This was a vast open-air Thanksgiving service conducted by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

Attended by 130,000 Boys, ‘Old Boys’, and friends. It was estimated that at least another 100,000 people were unable to get inside the grounds and that ‘hardened’ Glasgow Officers were crying when refusing further entries. Those who couldn’t get in were reluctant to leave and stayed outside, trying to hear as much as they could through the enclosure.

The Colour Party and its guard of 120 N.C.O.’s put the Colours on the drums in front of the pulpit to form the drumhead, which was a perfect performance and an impressive ceremony.