St James' (Pollok) Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James' Church |
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|---|---|
| St James' Pollok Parish Church | |
| 55°50′04″N 4°20′54″W / 55.834418°N 4.348429°W | |
| Location | Glasgow |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Titwood Parish Church |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Architect(s) | Henry Edward Clifford |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Neo-Gothic |
| Years built | 1893–1895 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Pollok |
| Presbytery | Presbytery of Glasgow |
St James' Parish Church is a special church located in the Pollok area of Glasgow, Scotland. It belongs to the Church of Scotland. What makes this church unique is its incredible journey: it was built in one place, then carefully taken apart, moved, and rebuilt in a completely different spot!
Contents
A Church on the Move: Its Amazing History
Imagine moving an entire building! That's exactly what happened with St James' Church. It wasn't always called St James'. When it was first built, it was known as the Titwood Parish Church.
Where It All Began: The Original Church
The church was first constructed between 1893 and 1895. Its original home was in Glencairn Drive, in an area of Glasgow called Pollokshields. The church was designed by an architect named Henry Edward Clifford. He created it in a style called Neo-Gothic. This style looks a bit like the grand old churches from the Middle Ages, with pointed arches and tall windows. The church was also built in a "cruciform" shape, which means it looked like a cross from above.
Why the Big Move?
In 1941, the Titwood congregation (the people who went to that church) joined with another church group, the Pollokshields congregation. This meant the original Titwood Parish Church building was no longer needed for services. But instead of tearing it down, a decision was made to give it a new life!
The Journey to Pollok
So, between 1951 and 1953, the church building was carefully taken apart, piece by piece. Think of it like a giant LEGO set being disassembled! Then, all the parts were transported to its new location in Pollok. Architects Thomson, McCrea and Sanders were in charge of this huge and tricky project.
While the church was being rebuilt, the new congregation in Pollok didn't have a proper place to worship. They met in a school hall and even in a simple wooden hut. It must have been exciting to watch their new church slowly come together!
A New Beginning: St James' Church
Finally, the amazing rebuilding project was finished. The church was officially reopened on September 3, 1953, with its new name: St James' Parish Church. It stands today as a testament to careful planning and a community's dedication.
