The 1872 Education Act made schooling compulsory so pupils were encouraged to have perfect attendance. Rewards such as a couple of oranges or a handful of sweets were given out before Christmas and summer holidays Poverty was often the reason for absence from school. Lack of clothes, shoes and food was common. The head master […]
In the nineteenth century under the ‘payment by results’ system, inspectors exercised considerable power. Their report could result in giving or withholding money for the school. The1872 the Education Act gave the state control of schools which until then had been in the hands of the churches. The government merely aided existing schools without taking […]
Timetable The school children’s day began at 10.00am and ended at 3.15pm with half an hour break at lunch time. Class time began with prayers, singing and religious instruction followed by four periods of reading, writing, arithmetic and dictation. All classes had to be presented for examination by the government inspector. Four shillings a year […]
In 1858 the Marist Brothers came to Glasgow at the invitation of Bishop Murdoch. In 1863 they took charge of St Mary’s Boys’ School. In 1865 there were 300 boys taught by two Marist Brothers and five pupil teachers. Brother John, Brother Austin and Brother James were head teachers from 1865 to 1869. By 1870 […]
St Mary’s School for boys, girls and infants was built in 1850 behind St Mary’s Church. The building was one large room with a gallery at one end for the infants. The pupils were the children of mainly Irish cotton weavers and manual labourers employed on roads, canals and coal pits. Women and children found […]
Pottery and brickwork Calton has had an industrial character for many years – pottery was a major local trade, indeed Saint Mary’s is built on a clayfield and there were several brickworks in operation as the church was built. The locals were somewhat dismissive of the building commenting that it was certainly not built on […]
Fund-raising Initiatives The parishioners are currently engaged in a series of fund-raising ventures to pay for these essential works. Financial Help The parish thanks Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund for the contributions they have made to the costs of these works. Without their support this could not have happened. We would still be […]
Saint Andrew’s Cathedral Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, built in 1814-16 through the initiative of Father (later Bishop) Andrew Scott was the at the time of its opening the largest Catholic Church in Britain. it was opened for the sake of the rising number of Catholic immigrants in the city of Glasgow. Over the years the Cathedral […]
The Sacristy The sacristy area of our church was renovated thanks to Historic Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Churches Architectural Heritage Trust, the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the people of Saint Mary’s. There are several vestments dating from early last century, banners which were once used in outdoor processions and a Latin Office book from […]
Typhus and Cholera There were Typhus epidemics (“Irish Fever”) in Glasgow in 1832, 1837, 1847 and 1851-52. Cholera epidemics took hold in 1832, 1848-49, and 1853-54 and a Relapsing Fever epidemic was recorded in 1843. Causes of Fever Epidemics Overcrowding into tiny flats without sanitation was trouble waiting to flare up. The River Clyde was […]