St Columba Church of Scotland, Glasgow
St Columba's Church is a Church of Scotland Parish church that serves a Gaelic congregation in Glasgow.
| St Columba's Church | |
|---|---|
| The Parish Church of Saint Columba | |
Fàilte gu Eaglais Ghàidhlig Chaluim Cille | |
 St Columba's Church, St Vincent Street, Glasgow | |
| |
| Location | Glasgow |
| Country | Scotland |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Website | Church Website |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Columba |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Tennant and Burke |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 17 September 1904 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Spire height | 67.06 m (220 ft 0 in) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Columba's |
| Presbytery | Glasgow |
Listed Building – Category B | |
| Designated | 15 December 1970 |
| Reference no. | LB33168 |
History
The Church of Scotland congregation of St Columba in Glasgow dates back to 1770. It was established to cater for the spiritual needs of the large number of Gaelic speakers from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland settling in Glasgow in search of employment. The church still has a service in Gaelic every Sunday, as well as weekly services in English.
Shortly before leaving Scotland to emigrate to South Africa in 1903, the poet Duncan Livingstone carved the inscription Tigh Mo Chridhe, Tigh Mo Gràidh ("House of My Heart, House of My Love") on the lintel of the main door of the church.[1]
The current church building in Glasgow's St Vincent Street was opened on Saturday 17 September 1904,[2] and is built in the Gothic Revival style. It was designed by architects Tennant and Burke and is now protected as a category B listed building.[3] Because of its size and association with Gaeldom and the Gaelic language it is also popularly known as the Highland Cathedral.
Past ministers have included two former Moderators of the General Assembly: the Very Rev Dr Norman Macleod (Caraid nan Gaidheal) (minister 1835-1862) in 1836; and the Very Reverend Dr Alexander MacDonald (minister 1929-1954) in 1948.
See also
References
- Ronald Black (1999), An Tuil: Anthology of 20th Century Scottish Gaelic Verse, page 727.
- Rev. Donald N. Macdonald (1985). St. Columba Gaelic Church Glasgow. A History of the Place and its People. p. 23.
- Historic Environment Scotland. "300 St Vincent Street, St Columba's (Gaelic) Parish Church, Church of Scotland (Category B) (LB33168)". Retrieved 20 March 2019.