Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral and bridge of Sighs

Introduction

Glasgow Cathedral is one of the city’s top visitor attractions. It is situated in the old, medieval section close to Glasgow Necropolis and Provand’s Lordship.

Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is situated in the west of the country, on banks of the River Clyde.

View of Cathedral from S.W.

History of Glasgow Cathedral

There has probably been a Christian place of worship on the site for about 1500 years. Initially, worship may have been under the auspices of the Celtic Church followed by Roman Catholic, Episcopalian and now Presbyterian (Church of Scotland).

The current building was built for Roman Catholic worship in the 13th century. Lightning damage necessitated reconstruction work in the early 15th century and the Blackadder Aisle was added in the early 16th century.

Video clip of Cathedral interior.

The Cathedral site is closely associated with the early Christian (late 6th century) missionary, St Kentigern, also known as St Mungo, who is the patron saint of Glasgow.

Statue of St Kentigern at Kelvingrove Art Gallery

Facets of the Cathedral interior

The plan of the Cathedral comprises an elongated rectangle divided into two halves by non-projecting transepts with a central tower at junction of the parts. Key aspects include:

  • Blackadder Aisle
  • Chapter House
  • Treasury
  • Central Tower
  • Nave
  • West Front
  • Crypt
  • Lower Chapter House
  • Choir
  • Presbytery
  • Stained glass.
  • Unusual Yiddish/Hebrew inscription from 18th century. Glasgow is home to Scotland’s largest population of the Jewish faith.

Official tour guides are usually on hand to escort visitors and explain the long history and complex features of the building.

Blackadder Aisle

Part translation of Hebrew/Yiddish script reads: “To Us. Spirits of the sky, people of peace and life, will bring from the universe. That (?) everything will be returned to life, that (?) his love will be (?) safe in their hands.”
Tour group visiting choir
Communion Table

19th century, Munich Stained Glass

Tour group in Nave

St Kentigern’s shrine in Lower Church

Visiting Glasgow Cathedral

Check website for opening hours.

The Cathedral can be reached on foot from central Glasgow (about 10-15 minutes) or by bus or train (High Street).

When visiting this property visitors could also consider sites in close proximity which are: Glasgow Necropolis, the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, the nearby Zen Garden and Provand’s Lordship.

More information for the visitor

More information on Glasgow, Scottish history, architecture, culture, etc., can be found in the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This publication is also available via Kindle.

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