St Andrew's West, Glasgow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Andrew's West |
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| St Andrew's West Parish Church | |
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| Location | Glasgow |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Website | Church Website |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Renfield St Stephen's |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | John Thomas Emmett |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1849-1852 |
| Groundbreaking | 1849 |
| Completed | 1852 |
| Construction cost | £10,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Spire height | 67.1 m (220 ft 2 in) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Andrew's West |
| Presbytery | Glasgow |
St Andrew's West, also known as Renfield St Stephen's, is a Church of Scotland parish church in Glasgow. It is a very old and important building. In 1970, it was named a Category B listed building. This means it is a special building that needs to be protected.
Contents
History of the Church Building
The church was built a long time ago, between 1849 and 1852. It was first built for a group of people who had left another church. The church was designed by John Thomas Emmett. It was built in a style called English Gothic Revival. This style looks like old churches from the Gothic period. The building cost about £10,000 to build. It was made from a type of stone called Kenmure sandstone.
By 1874, fewer people were attending this church. So, the building was sold to a rich businessman named James Baird. He then gave the church building to the Church of Scotland. In 1970, the church was officially recognized as a Category B listed building.
Many Church Families Come Together
After the building joined the Church of Scotland, it became home to different church groups over the years. First, it was called Blythswood Parish Church. Later, in 1920, it joined with St Matthew's church. It was then known as St Matthew's Blythswood Parish Church.
In 1960, this church group joined with St Stephen's Buccleuch. The name changed again to St Stephen's Buccleuch Parish Church. In 1966, the building was sold to the Renfield Street Trust. This was so Renfield Parish Church could use it. Their old church had closed down.
More groups joined over time. In 1967, Cowcaddens parish joined. The church was then simply called St Stephen's. In 1969, the church was fixed up and opened again. A new church center was also built next to it. In 1974, the Renfield and St Stephen's groups joined to become Renfield St Stephen's.
Most recently, in 2019, Renfield St Stephen's joined with Anderston Kelvingrove. This created a new church family called St Andrew's West. Today, the church is a mix of 15 different church groups that have come together.
The Hurricane and Repairs
On December 26, 1998, a very strong hurricane hit the area. At that time, the church's tall spire was being repaired. The hurricane caused the spire to fall down onto the church building. This made a huge hole in the middle of the church. It also caused a lot of damage to the building's structure.
The church had to be closed for repairs. It cost a lot of money, about £3,000,000, to fix everything. The church was finally opened and dedicated again on September 28, 2001. The leader of the Church of Scotland, John Miller, was there for the special event.
The Minister
The person who leads the church services now is the Rev. Dr. Kleber Machado.
The Organ and Organists
The church has a large pipe organ with three keyboards. It was first built in 1879 for another church. In 1968, it was moved and rebuilt in its current home.
When the spire fell in 1998, the organ's control panel was destroyed. In 2001, a new, movable control panel was built. The organ pipes are in two rooms on either side of the main church area. The control panel can be moved around. This is useful for church services or for concerts. You can find more details about the organ online.
The person who plays the organ now is Gordon Cree. Many people have played the organ at this church over the years. One famous organist was Avis McIntyre FRCO. She was known for her solo concerts. She is the only woman in Scotland who is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. She stopped playing in public after 2010.
See also
