Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church

Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, colloquially known as the Baptist Cathedral of Europe, stands at the west end of the High Street in Paisley, Scotland. It has been a dominant feature of the Paisley skyline for over 100 years with its striking crown steeple rising to 60 metres (200 ft) above the ground.[1] The church is a category A listed building.[2]

Coats Memorial Church
Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church
Coats Memorial Church
Location within Renfrewshire
55.8448°N 4.4324°W / 55.8448; -4.4324
LocationHigh Street
Paisley, Renfrewshire
CountryScotland
DenominationBaptist
Websitewww.coatsmemorial.org.uk
History
FoundedMay 1894
Architecture
Functional statusDeconsecrated, now public use
Heritage designationCategory A
Architect(s)Hippolyte Blanc
StyleGothic Revival
Clergy
Minister(s)None
Laity
Director of musicMatt Edwards

A recent fundraising campaign helped save this stunning church from falling into disrepair. The venue will soon be renovated to accommodate an array of entertainment and private events.

Thomas Coats

Thomas Coats (1809-1883) co-founder of the world-famous J.&P Coats company was a philanthropist and devout member of the Baptist Church. He was committed to the wellbeing of his town, involved in the restoration of Paisley Abbey, and funding projects such as the construction of the Coats Observatory and Paisley Fountain Gardens. After his death in 1883 his close family funded the construction of a Baptist church in his memory.[3]

History

A competition was held in 1885 for the design of the church with the selection of six pre-qualified architects. Construction commenced in late 1885 and was completed by May 1894. Hippolyte Jean Blanc was successful in securing his design, the magnificent result of which we see today. Today, the church is threatened with closure as a result of diminishing congregation and the cost of upkeep.[4]

Architecture

The church is built in the Gothic Revival style in red sandstone, cruciform in shape with flying buttresses along the nave and transepts. The central tower rises to an open crown steeple. At the front a set of stairs lead to three doorways, occupied by oak doors. There is seating inside for almost 1,000 people under the vaulted ceiling. Other features include mosaics, stencilled decoration, gargoyles, carved marble and alabaster. Above the chancel is a vaulted ceiling decorated with paintings of angels. On either side of the chancel the organ with some 3,040 pipes can be seen. Built by William Hill & Sons, the organ is one of only a few of its kind in Britain which has not been modified.[5]

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See also

References
  1. "Thomas Coats Memorial Church Paisley Scotland". Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  2. Historic Environment Scotland. "High Street, Coats Memorial Church  (Category A) (LB39027)". Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  3. "Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church". Renfrewshire Council. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  4. "Thomas Coats Memorial Baptist Church, Paisley". Scotland's Churches Trust. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  5. "£1000,000 organ fund given a boost". Paisley Daily Express. 17 March 2011.
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