St Columba Church of Scotland, Glasgow

St Columba's Church is a Church of Scotland Parish church that used to serve a Gaelic congregation in Glasgow until its closure in 2021.

St Columba's Church
The Parish Church of Saint Columba
Eaglais Ghàidhlig Chaluim Chille
St Columba's Church, St Vincent Street, Glasgow
LocationGlasgow
CountryScotland
DenominationChurch of Scotland
WebsiteChurch Website
History
StatusParish church
DedicationSt Columba
Architecture
Architect(s)Tennant and Burke
Architectural typeChurch
StyleGothic Revival
Years built1901-1904
Completed17 September 1904
ClosedApril 2021
Specifications
Number of spires1
Spire height67.06 m (220 ft 0 in)
Administration
PresbyteryGlasgow
ParishSt Columba's
Listed Building – Category A
Designated15 December 1970
Reference no.LB33168

History

The Church of Scotland congregation of St Columba in Glasgow dates back to 1770. It was established to cater for the spiritual needs of the large number of Gaelic speakers from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland settling in Glasgow in search of employment. Until 2020, the church still had a weekly Sunday service in Gaelic, as well as weekly services in English.

Shortly before leaving Scotland to permanently emigrate to South Africa in 1903, Mull-born Gaelic poet Duncan Livingstone carved the inscription Tigh Mo Chridhe, Tigh Mo Gràidh ("House of My Heart, House of My Love") on the lintel of the main door of the church.[1]

The church building in Glasgow's St Vincent Street was opened on Saturday 17 September 1904,[2] and is built in the Gothic Revival style. It was designed by architects Tennant and Burke and was protected as a category B listed building starting in 1970.[3] In 2022, its listing was upgraded to category A.[4] Because of its size and association with Gaeldom and the Gaelic language it is also popularly known as the Highland Cathedral.

Past ministers have included two former Moderators of the General Assembly: the Very Rev. Dr. Norman MacLeod (minister 1835-1862) and husband of poetess Agnes Maxwell MacLeod, in 1836; and the Very Reverend Dr Alexander MacDonald (minister 1929-1954) in 1948.

On February 16th 2023, the congregation of St. Columba Church of Scotland was linked with the congregation of Blawarthill Parish Church of Scotland, with all future services to be held at Blawarthill Parish Church.[5] The church building had not been in use since 2021 because of safety concerns.[6] It was put up for sale by the Church of Scotland in 2022.[7]

See also

References
  1. Ronald Black (1999), An Tuil: Anthology of 20th Century Scottish Gaelic Verse, page 727.
  2. Rev. Donald N. Macdonald (1985). St. Columba Gaelic Church Glasgow. A History of the Place and its People. p. 23.
  3. Historic Environment Scotland. "300 St Vincent Street, St Columba's (Gaelic) Parish Church, Church of Scotland (Category B Listed Building) (LB33168)". Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  4. "St Columba's Church in Glasgow listed at category A". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  5. "Basis of Linking" (PDF). St. Columba Church of Scotland. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  6. "Glasgow's iconic 'Highland cathedral' up for sale as Church of Scotland looks to raise funds". Scottish Daily Express. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  7. "Church Properties For Sale: St Columba Gaelic Church". Church of Scotland. Retrieved 12 August 2023.

55.8629°N 4.2668°W / 55.8629; -4.2668

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