Queen's Cross Church, Glasgow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queen's Cross Church |
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| The Mackintosh Church | |
The church tower seen from the road junction
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| 55°52′49″N 4°16′18″W / 55.880286°N 4.271632°W | |
| Location | Glasgow |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Secularised |
| Previous denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Website | Website |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Museum & Venue hall |
| Architect(s) | Charles Rennie Mackintosh |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Art Nouveau |
| Groundbreaking | 23 June 1898 |
| Completed | 10 September 1899 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Red Sandstone Ashlar |
Queen's Cross Church is a special building in Glasgow, Scotland. It used to be a Church of Scotland parish church. What makes it unique is that it's the only church ever built that was designed by the famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. That's why many people call it The Mackintosh Church.
Contents
The Story of the Church
In 1896, a church group in Glasgow, called the Free Church of St Matthew, needed a new church. They asked a well-known architecture firm, Honeyman and Keppie, to design it. The church was planned for a growing area called Springbank, near Maryhill.
John Honeyman, one of the main architects, gave the job to a young and very talented trainee named Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The land for the church was a bit tricky. It was on a corner and surrounded by other buildings. The church group wanted a simple design, which fit their beliefs.
Work on the church began on June 23, 1898. The very first church service was held on September 10, 1899.
Mackintosh also designed a big cathedral for Liverpool in a competition. But that design was never built. So, Queen's Cross Church is the only church he ever saw completed. Building the church started soon after Mackintosh finished his plans for the famous Glasgow School of Art. You can find Queen's Cross Church at the meeting point of Garscube Road and Maryhill Road in Glasgow's Maryhill area.
Mackintosh's Special Design
Outside the Church
Unlike many churches in Glasgow, Queen's Cross Church doesn't have a tall, pointy spire. It looks more solid and strong, almost like an old Norman castle. Some architects even called its style 'Modern Gothic'. Mackintosh based the main tower on a church he saw in Merriot, England, in 1895.
Inside the Church
The stained glass windows inside are not as grand as those in some huge cathedrals. However, they have a very clear Mackintosh style. You can still see this unique style in many souvenirs today.
The roof is a striking feature. It's made of timber and shaped like a half-barrel, stretching across the entire 40-foot width of the main hall.
The pulpit, where speeches are given, has special carvings designed by Mackintosh. The same design is repeated five times around its curved front. Some people think it looks like a bird's wings protecting young plants.
The church's design mixes old styles. It has Gothic touches, like the beautiful blue-heart stained glass window. It also has elements from before the Reformation, such as a copy of the original rood beam. This beam is unique in Scotland. You can even spot Japanese influences in the double beams and hanging decorations inside the church.
Home of the Mackintosh Society
In the 1970s, the church was no longer used for services. Many old churches are turned into theaters or apartments, or even torn down. But because Charles Rennie Mackintosh's work is so popular, Queen's Cross Church was saved. It became the home of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society.
The Society now owns and runs the church. It's a popular place for tourists to visit. The church also has an adjoining hall. Here, you can find a tearoom and a display area. This area shows many interesting items, including copies of the chairs Mackintosh designed for the famous Willow Tearooms.
See also
Gallery
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west window
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west window
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pulpit
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east window over main balcony
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south aisle and west window
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south aisle and balcony
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south aisle
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west stair
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east stair
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hall roof
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keyboard in hall
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hall detail
