St Peter's Seminary, Cardross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Peter's Seminary Complex |
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Main chapel at St. Peter's Seminary
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| Location | near Cardross, Argyll and Bute. GB grid reference NS352784 |
| Built | 1961–1966 |
| Architect | Gillespie, Kidd & Coia (Isi Metzstein and Andy MacMillan) |
| Architectural style(s) | Modernist, Brutalist |
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Listed Building – Category A
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| Official name: St. Peter's College | |
| Designated | 6 August 1992 |
| Reference no. | LB6464 |
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St. Peter's Seminary is a large, old building near Cardross, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It used to be a special school for people studying to become priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
The building was designed by famous architects named Gillespie, Kidd & Coia. Many experts say it's a very important example of modern architecture from around the world. It's one of only 42 buildings in Scotland built after World War II that has a special "Category A" listing. This means it has the highest level of protection because it's so important historically or architecturally.
St. Peter's Seminary has been empty since 1987 and is now mostly a ruin. However, in 2020, a group called the Kilmahew Education Trust took over the site. They hope to fix it up and use it for education again.
Contents
History of St. Peter's Seminary
Why a New Building Was Needed
In 1946, the original St. Peter's Seminary in Bearsden, Glasgow, had a fire. This meant they needed a new place for the students.
Architects started planning a new college in Cardross in 1953. Building finally began in 1961. While waiting for the new building, the students moved to temporary homes. Some went to Darleith House in Cardross, and others went to Kilmahew House.
Designing the New Seminary
The idea was to build a new, big college at Kilmahew House. Kilmahew House was a large old mansion built in the 1860s. It was part of a beautiful estate with gardens and landscapes. The Burns family first owned the mansion, then the Allan family. After World War II, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow bought the estate.
The architects, Isi Metzstein and Andy MacMillan, came up with a very new design. They planned for the old Kilmahew House to be used by the teachers. Around it, they would build a striking new main building, a separate block for nuns, a chapel, and classrooms. This way, the old house became one side of a square, mixing old and new buildings together.
On the land, you can also find the ruins of Kilmahew Castle, which was probably built in the 1500s. To get to St. Peter's Seminary from the west, you cross an old bridge over a small river called Kilmahew Burn.
Modern Architecture of the Seminary
The seminary's design is very modern and uses a style called Brutalist architecture. This style often uses lots of raw concrete. It was greatly inspired by the famous architect Le Corbusier. Many people think it's one of the most important examples of modern architecture in Scotland.
The building was finished in 1966. However, by then, fewer people were choosing to become priests. So, the building was never full, even though it could hold about 100 students. From the start, there were problems with the building. It was hard to maintain, and water often leaked in. The architects and owners disagreed about who was to blame for these issues.
After the Seminary Closed
In February 1980, the seminary closed its doors. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow moved the college to a different location in Glasgow. However, due to the ongoing maintenance problems and vandalism, the modern buildings at Cardross were no longer used by 1984.
Maintenance on Kilmahew House stopped in the early 1990s. In 1995, a fire badly damaged Kilmahew House, and it had to be torn down because it was unsafe. The remaining modern buildings were given "Category A" listed status in 1992. In 2005, an architecture magazine even called it "Scotland's greatest post-WWII building."
Efforts to Restore the Building
Even with its special status, the building remains a ruin. Most of the wood and glass are gone, but you can still see the main parts of the original design. It's been very hard to find a new use for the building or even protect it from more damage. This is because of its unique design and its remote location.
There have been many ideas, like building homes on the grounds or making the concrete structure stable again. Some groups, like the Twentieth Century Society, worry that these plans might destroy what's left of the building.
In 2007, the building was put on the World Monuments Fund's list of 100 Most Endangered Sites. An arts group called NVA got involved and worked on plans to partly restore the seminary and the surrounding woodlands. They even showed their ideas at an international architecture event in Venice in 2010.
In 2012, the Scottish Government gave £500,000 for the building's repair. NVA also started a project called the 'Invisible College'. This project brought together experts, local people, and artists to discuss the site's future. They held talks, created sound walks, and even started growing food in the old walled garden.
In 2015, artist Angus Farquhar took over the site, hoping to turn part of it into an arts venue. A big clean-up happened in 2016. NVA also put on a sold-out sound and light show for the public. However, NVA closed down in 2018 due to funding problems.
In 2019, the Roman Catholic Church, which owns the building, said it was a "ruin" damaged by fire, rain, and vandalism. They said it was a big problem for them to maintain and insure. They felt that public funding was the only way to save the important building.
Finally, in July 2020, the site was given to the Kilmahew Education Trust. They plan to bring back the educational purpose of the seminary after they can conserve and restore it. The building was also featured in an art exhibition in London in 2021 and on the TV show "Abandoned Engineering."
Documentary About the Seminary
There is a 20-minute documentary called Space and Light. It was filmed when the seminary was still active. The film shows what life was like for the students inside the building, including classes, studying, meals, and worship. But the main focus of the film is the amazing building itself.
Staff at St. Peter's Seminary
Rectors
- Angus MacFarlane, 1878–1880
- William Caven, 1880–1896
- Donald Carmichael, 1896–1902
- John A. Maguire, 1902–1914
- Henry Forbes, 1914–1943
- Charles J. Treanor, 1945–1963
- Michael J. Connolly, 1963–1972
- James McMahon, 1972–1980
- Maurice Ward, 1980–1985
Other Notable Staff
- Thomas N. Taylor (1873–1963), founder of Carfin Grotto
- David McRoberts (1912–1978), Historian
- Maurice Taylor (1926–2023), Bishop of Galloway
- Joseph Devine (1937–2019), Bishop of Motherwell
- Philip Tartaglia (1951–2021), Archbishop of Glasgow
