Glasgow Cathedral Cathedrals of Scotland. Cathedral of Saint Gil
Glasgow Cathedral has many names - the High Church (High Kirk) Glasgow, St. Kentigern's Cathedral, but the most famous name is St. Mungo's Cathedral. The title "Cathedral" is more historical than factual, since the cathedral now belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
The history of the cathedral is closely connected with the history of the city of Glasgow and its patron Saint Mungo. The real name of the saint is Kentigern, he came from a noble royal family, and Mungo is his nickname. Under the name Kentigern, he is revered in Ireland and Wales, as well as in the Orthodox Church. The cathedral was erected on the site where in VI St. Mungo personally built his church. The cathedral houses the tomb of St. Mungo, which is a place of pilgrimage. The cathedral was built in the 12th century by order of King David, who was present at the foundation stone of the building in 1136. The cathedral is an excellent example of Scottish Gothic architecture. Most of the timber structures and floors date back to the 14th century. The cathedral is located on a slope and therefore consists of two parts - the Upper Church and the Lower Church.
Unfortunately, very few medieval churches have survived in Scotland since the Reformation, and Glasgow Cathedral is the only remaining large cathedral in mainland Scotland. In 1583, the Glasgow City Council decided to restore the cathedral, although this was not the responsibility of the city. The cathedral has survived to this day only thanks to this decision. The old altar wall of the cathedral is also one of the rare surviving examples. Not all elements of the cathedral's decor are old - in particular, you can see excellent post-war stained-glass windows here.
Formally, the cathedral has not been a cathedral since 1690, since there is no episcopal see here. Now the Presbyterian Church of Scotland holds services in the cathedral, and the building of the cathedral itself belongs to the crown.
Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary is the cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church, officially inaugurated in 1871. It is noteworthy that the cathedral was completed only in 1893, when work on the spire was completed. Together with it, the building is 63 meters high. The architect of the cathedral was George Gilbert Scott. However, the temple did not become a cathedral at once, this high status was assigned to it only in 1908. At the moment, the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary is included in the list of especially significant historical and architectural monuments of Great Britain.
The cathedral is located in the center of the West End in Glasgow, this position allows it to constantly develop as a concert hall, a center for artistic activities, and a venue for exhibitions. In addition, the cathedral is justly proud of its music in the form of an adult mixed choir, an organ restored in 1990, and ten sections of bells.
Saint Mary is used for two purposes at once: as a cathedral for the diocese and as a meeting place for a fairly large flock. This number of parishioners and their constant rotation is due to the fact that the population is constantly changing in this urban area. The cathedral has an active plan for conducting administrative and outreach activities.
St. Luke Greek Orthodox Cathedral
The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Luke belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. It is located in the Dowanhill area of Glasgow, Scotland. The plan and design of the church was developed by James Sellars, inspired by Dunblane Cathedral in Scotland. St. Luke's Cathedral was built in 1877 in the Norman Gothic style. The cathedral was originally planned as Belhaven Church for the Church of Scotland. The congregation of the cathedral became part of the Church of Scotland in 1929, and remained with it until 1960.
After the unification of the Belhaven Church with the neighboring community, the building of the cathedral was no longer needed by the Church of Scotland. It was converted into a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. The next major transformation happened to the cathedral in 1970, when Patriarch Nicholas VI of Alexandria visited it. He elevated the temple to the status of a cathedral with the blessing of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. You can read about this on a memorial marble tablet, where a commemorative inscription about this event is engraved in gold letters.
In the cathedral, not only religious but also social life takes place. Scientists and students who come to study and work in Scotland meet here. Community members can attend Divine Liturgy every Sunday. The temple also participates in the annual Glasgow Open House program.
Cathedral of Saint Mary
St. Mary's Cathedral is the Episcopal Scottish Cathedral in the kingdom's capital, Edinburgh. It is the only cathedral in Scotland to maintain the tradition of daily choral singing.
The cathedral was built in the late 19th century in the West End. It was designed by the architect George Gilbert Scott, who turned the cathedral into one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Scotland.
The first stone was laid in May 1874. A vessel was placed inside the stone containing a copy of the trust agreement, as well as newspapers and coins. After 5 years, the construction of the cathedral was completed and since that moment many parishioners visit it every day.
Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, twin spiers were erected in the western part of the building, which were designed by the architect Charles Scott, the grandson of Sir George Scott.
Outwardly, the Cathedral looks majestic, in the spirit of the Great Britain of the Enlightenment. Thanks to its architecture and unusual lighting, it is one of the favorite attractions among tourists from all over the world. The bell tower located in the central tower also attracts great interest in the Cathedral.
Cathedral of Saint Gilles (Giles)
The Cathedral is one of the main attractions in the center of the Royal Mile. For about nine centuries, the temple was the center of the religious life of the city. But today the temple is more of a form of Presbyterianism.
In 1635-1638, when the authorities of England in St. Giles announced the appointment of bishops, riots and wars between the bishops were organized on the streets of the city. Since the middle of the century, the cathedral has belonged to the Bishopric of St Andrews, while the main see of bishops grew in the Temple of St Andrews in St Andrews. But from that time to the present day, Jailis remains the main church.
In 1985, a fire broke out in the cathedral, which took away most of the temple. After the incident, Giles was lined up again. But not a large part, preserved after the fire, still adorns the cathedral.
Cathedral of Saint Gil
The Cathedral of Saint Gil was built in the XII century, but to this day only the inner columns have survived, which survived after a grandiose fire. The architect William Byrne, who was involved in the restoration work, radically changed the appearance of the cathedral. Several bell towers were demolished, the window openings were widened and decorated with multi-colored stained-glass windows, from the outside the walls were lined with hewn stone. This is how we see it today.
The Gothic Cathedral is located on the famous Royal Mile. This is a special place in the city, it is called the High Church of Edinburgh. For some time, St. Gil's Cathedral was used not only for church services. At the end of the 18th century, it alternately housed a school, a police station, a fire station and even a prison for harlots. At the beginning of the 20th century, a chapel of the Order of the Thistle was built next to the cathedral. Every year it is knighted when the monarch comes to Edinburgh in the summer.
St. Andrew's Cathedral
St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. It was created in 1814 in the neo-gothic style. In 2011, an extensive reconstruction and modernization of the structure took place. Despite the internal changes in St.Andrew's Cathedral, its Gothic appearance has remained practically unchanged.
It stands on the north bank of the Clyde River in all its splendor. The facade of the building is decorated with two octagonal towers and a statue of the Apostle Andrew (patron saint of Scotland), located in a niche above the main entrance. Small turrets with sharp spiers are located along the entire perimeter of the building. Wide lancet windows are finished with openwork carving. In the courtyard of the temple there is a spacious bell tower, which includes seven bells of an interesting tubular shape.
The church hall, executed in golden colors, is striking in its beauty. Its interior is decorated with old paintings of saints and magnificent stained glass drawings. A new marble altar has been installed in the temple. All divine services and ceremonies are accompanied by the chants of the church choir and wonderful organ music.
Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral is also called St. Mungo or Glasgow High Church. The cathedral has preserved its appearance since the 13th century. It is the seat of the bishops of Glasgow.
The first brick in the foundation of the cathedral was laid in 1136 on the site of the chapel of St. Mungo, who was considered the patron saint of the city. Thus, there were two churches - "upper" and "lower". In the lower part is the tomb of St. Mungo, and in the upper part - the Necropolis - members of the noble families of Glasgow are buried.
St Mungo's Cathedral houses Glasgow High School - the oldest school in Scotland. It was founded in 1124 under the name "School for Singers".
The cathedral is one of the most striking examples of Scottish Gothic architecture. The old wooden roof houses five hundred-year-old statues that depict the seven deadly sins. For lovers of stained glass and mosaics, a visit to the cathedral will be unforgettable. Having truly preserved the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, the cathedral allows you to get closer to the era and plunge into history.
Scotland landmarks
Glasgow Cathedral is a majestic building and an important architectural monument of Scotland, made in the Gothic style. The second name of the cathedral is Glasgow High Church. Here today is the seat of the archbishops of Glasgow.
The Cathedral is located on Castle Street. You can get here by train from Edinburgh.
Additional Information
Saint Mungo is considered the patron saint of the city of Glasgow. In his honor, this cathedral was erected in 1197, which today belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Within the walls of the cathedral is the saint's tomb, which is the center of pilgrimage.
The decoration of this church is the old stained glass windows and the most beautiful ancient statues and gargoyles. The cathedral is perfectly preserved and is open to tourists today. Travelers should not miss an excellent opportunity to see with their own eyes this important landmark of Scotland, praised by Walter Scott in his novels.
Working hours
- Apr-Sept: Mon-Sat 09: 30-17: 30, Sun 13: 00-17: 00
- Oct-March: Mon-Sat 09: 30-16: 30, Sun 13: 00-16: 30
In the Scottish city of Glasgow, there is the Gothic Cathedral of St. Mungo, or as it is also called - Cathedral of St. Kentigern, Glasgow High Church or Glasgow Cathedral. Now the cathedral is under the patronage of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, so the title "Cathedral" should be regarded more as a historical one. By the way, now on its territory is the residence of the Archbishops of Glasgow.
History of origin
The history of this cathedral begins at the beginning of the 12th century. Then it was built by order of King David I, and illuminated already in 1136. The cathedral was named after the patron saint of the city of Glasgow and Scotland, St. Mungo, as his tomb is located here. Saint Mungo or, as he is called in Wales and Ireland, Kentigern was a descendant of a noble royal family. Missionary, preacher and first bishop of Glasgow - for 13 years he lived in a cell of the monastery, which, according to legend, he himself built on the site where Glasgow Cathedral is now located.
Glasgow Cathedral is the only surviving cathedral in mainland Scotland. In addition, the original building was destroyed by fire. After which the cathedral began to rebuild in 1196 under the leadership of Bishop Jocelyn. And in the 15th century, the cathedral was expanded and reconstructed. Most of the temples in Scotland were destroyed during the Reformation, but fortunately Glasgow Cathedral has survived.
Description of the cathedral
The cathedral's wooden roof dates back to the 14th century, with statues representing the seven deadly sins. The cathedral building itself is about 100 meters long. And the interior reveals a clear connection with the military units of Scotland. So, for example, signs of 12 military regiments that took part in World War II adorn one of the mosaic windows.
Masses are held every Sunday in the cathedral, and residents of nearby cities come here for important church holidays. Glasgow Cathedral is open to the public throughout the year.
In addition, there are several volunteers working at the cathedral to conduct excursions. And guidebooks in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish are available at the bookstand. As well as postcards, information leaflets and souvenirs. However, it should be borne in mind that in winter the number of guides is much less and the bookstore is closed.
While visiting the city, it is worth taking the time to visit the Kelvingrove Museum, which also contains a wonderful art gallery.
Information for visitors
The address: Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ, United Kingdom
Glasgow Cathedral.
Also called the High Kirk of Glasgow. Belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Mungo, the patron saint of the city of Glasgow and all of Scotland. Here is the seat of the Archbishops of Glasgow.
The current cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and is a remarkable piece of Scottish Gothic architecture. To the west of the cathedral, on a hill, is the Glasgow Necropolis - the central cemetery of the city. In 1124, a choir school was opened at the cathedral.
Renamed Glasgow High School in 1834, it is the oldest school in Scotland. The classrooms of the University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, were originally located in the premises of St. Mungo's Cathedral, and the rectors of this university for 200 years were the bishops of Glasgow, they are also the rectors of St. Mungo's Cathedral.
An excellent description of the old cathedral is given by Walter Scott in his novel Rob Roy.
