Strathbungo Parish Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Strathbungo Parish Church |
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| General information | |
| Status | Residential Flats |
| Architectural style | Romanesque and Scots Gothic style (facade and steeple) |
| Address | 605, Pollokshaws Rd |
| Town or city | Glasgow |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°50′16″N 4°16′06″W / 55.837656°N 4.268316°W |
| Groundbreaking | October 1887 (church) 2005 (flats) |
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Listed Building – Category B
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| Designated: | 15 December 1970 |
| Reference #: | LB32397 |
The Strathbungo Parish Church was a special building in Glasgow, Scotland. It was built a long time ago, in the 1800s. Even though it's not a church anymore, you can still see its original front and tall bell tower. Today, the inside of the building has been changed into homes.
The First Church Building
Long ago, the area called Strathbungo was part of a bigger church area known as Govan Parish. In 1833, people decided that Strathbungo needed its own church. Plans were made, and the first church was built between 1839 and 1840.
A famous architect named Charles Wilson designed this first church. It cost about £1300 to build, which was a lot of money back then! In 1848, Reverend Alexander Sutherland became the first minister of this new church.
The Second Church Building
Strathbungo became its own independent church area in 1879. Because of this, a new, bigger church was planned in 1883. The church leaders chose designs by an architect named John McKissack.
The foundation stone for this new church was laid in October 1887. It was built right where the old church stood. Many of the stones from the first church were reused to build the new one. The new church officially opened its doors on October 7, 1888.
This second church had a unique look. It was built in a style called Romanesque and Scots Gothic. It also had a special bell tower shaped like a crown.
Inside the church, there was a memorial for people from the area who died in WWI. This special memorial is now located at Queen's Park Govanhill Parish Church.
What Happened to the Church?
By the 1970s, fewer and fewer people were attending Strathbungo Parish Church. So, in May 1979, the church closed its doors for good. The people who used to go there joined another church nearby, called Queen's Park West.
After it closed, the building was sold. Over time, it became empty and started to fall apart. In 2005, a group called Southside Housing Association bought the site. They decided to build new homes inside the old church.
To do this, they had to take down most of the church building, including the church halls. But they kept the beautiful front of the church and its tall bell tower. The new homes were finished by May 2006. So, today, the historic front of the church remains, but the inside is now modern flats.
