Canon Turner was devoted, not only to the Catholic people of St Patrick’s Kilsyth, but very much to those in the surrounding villages who did not have a Catholic Priest of their own. On, foot he visited places as far away as Croy, Twechar, Cumbernauld, Condorrat and Smithston. In his clerical diary for the years 1890-91, he wrote of a sick call at Croy Row, visiting three Catholic families at Turneyhill, near Twechar, calling on a couple in a `mixed marriage' at Cumbernauld, visiting a partially paralysed man in Condorrat and looking in, on one visitation, on half of the homes at Smithston Row, which he called `Little Ireland'. Of Croy he wrote 'Croy was my pet lamb for the lengthened period of twelve years'. His visits round the widely scattered parish were usually made on horseback, or with his favorite pony, Roddy, drawing his " phaeton " carriage.

One thing for which he is personally remembered is as a remarkably good singer and his voice was often heard to advantage above the others at social events. He is also remembered with gratitude for his extension of the original St Patrick’s Church, which he enlarged by adding a side aisle and erecting a tower and installing a bell.

To improve the social amenities he built a billiard hall with games room for the youth of the parish. Many children in those early years of the Parish in Kilsyth and the surrounding villages owe their education to Canon Turner and his predecessor Canon Murphy. It was Canon Murphy who was responsible for the construction of the first St. Patrick's School building in 1874 and by Canon Turner's time it was evident that Catholic children not only from Kilsyth but also from Auchinstarry, Croy, Smithstone and Twechar were being educated at St Patrick’s school in Kilsyth.

It is also worth mentioning that it was during Canon Turner's stay in Kilsyth that our neighbouring parish of Croy was founded in 1902. This event is a very real indication of the growth of the Catholic population in Kilsyth and district.

Recently we have discovered some newspaper archives which contain letters from Fr Turner to the editor of the Kilsyth Chronicle. They give an insight into not only the activities of Fr Turner working on behalf of his parishioners but also the living conditions in Kilsyth at that time...

“St Patrick’s Kilsyth February 4th 1903.
Dear Sir,
Will no one suggest to our Town Council and Parish Council a ‘Scheme for the better Housing of the Working Classes in Kilsyth,’ at a cost not exceeding £10,000.We have been reminded repeatedly of the number of one room houses in Kilsyth, and we see for ourselves how families are huddled together for want of proper accommodation. Mr McKillop, M.P., in a recent address, hits the nail on the head when he declares ‘Social problems will be the greatest problems to solve in the coming generation and therefore must claim most attention by the politician. The wellbeing of our nation depends upon the health, comfort and development of the physical, mental and moral life of the nation, and towards this the Housing of the Poor must occupy a leading place.’ I am, yours etc.,
Canon Turner.”
Letter to the editor of The Kilsyth Chronicle, 4th Feb 1903.

“St Patrick’s Kilsyth February 12th 1903.
Dear Sir,
Referring to a ‘Scheme for the better Housing of the Working Classes in Kilsyth,’ I might take the liberty of suggesting that the ‘Brick Rows’ (euphemistically called ‘Kingston Rows’) should be demolished and replaced by stone erections worthy of the name ‘workmen’s houses’. Apart from the front row, the accommodation in the remainder is totally inadequate to the proper upbringing of a family. So ashamed of the very appearance of the ‘side row’ has someone been that he has placed a nondescript gable to screen the view from passers by. Surely these huts have served their time and something better might be provided in the present days of progress? I am, yours etc.,
Canon Turner.”
Letter to the editor of The Kilsyth Chronicle, 12th Feb 1903.