The Vincent de Paul Society provided a Christmas dinner for 200-300 boys and girls. By 1885 the head master made plans for a ‘Penny Dinner’ scheme. Those who could afford it paid the penny. Temporary premises near the school were hired as a cooking depot. Brother Walfrid founded Celtic Football Club to raise money for […]
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 […]
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 […]
The stained glass in the church is also needs conservation. The glass from the Sacred Heart and Lady Chapels underwent renovation in mid 2004. Mayer of Munich The stained glass was created by the world famous Mayer of Munich – this firm is also noted for having created the dramatic stained glass window at the […]
he Sanctuary The rest of the sanctuary too has undergone change on a number of occasions. Canon Carmichael reconstructed the altar, altar steps and platform. A large opening was made in the roof to allow light to enter the sanctuary. Lectern Canon Dyer who became parish priest in 1896 also made changes to the sanctuary […]
The Sanctuary has also undergone renovation. Originally the wall behind the altar consisted of four large fluted Doric columns and these were taken down in the 1870’s and replaced with the much lighter design which can be seen today. Paintings The painting of the Assumption, which so dominates the church is an addition from the […]
Interior renovations In 1926-27 significant renovation and redecoration of the Church took place. Over £1500 (£54,742 by current standards) was spent on this work for which the Main Contractors were S&J Scott of West George Street. The whole of the inside was repainted except for the large panel behind the altar and those at the […]
In 1914 the new school building was completed on the site of the old school building and in 1919 was valued for the sake of the transfer to local authority control. The building was valued at £23,399 (in 2002 this was the equivalent of £665,627). The transaction for the sale of the properties did not […]