preview

A Church Not Meant for Prayers

Decent Essays
Open Document

A church not meant for prayers

Glasgow is well known for being an inventive city, and so is its architecture. Electing the best of the city is not only a matter of beauty, it has to embrace all the characteristics that makes something Glaswegian: history, creativity, beauty and also a little alcohol. That’s the reason that after extensive research the chosen building to represent Glasgow’s success is the Oran Mor pub.
But why choose a pub among hundreds in the city? What makes it so special? It shows in its essence the spirit of the Glaswegians, it’s part of the history and now it works providing a good time (and drinks) to the population.
The former Kelvinside Parish Church was built in 1862 by J.J. Stevenson (Campbel, Douglas and Stevenson). It started with the moves of John Blackie, a publisher and writer. He knew that a residential development was about to take place west of Kelvinbridge, an area that was receiving lots of attention after the University of Glasgow moved to Gillmore Hill, and new people were about to move in. These people would need a place to worship and to keep their spiritual well-being. In a meeting with members of the Free Church of Glasgow it was decided that a new temple should be built. Soon the lands at the cross of Byres Road and Great Western Road were secured for the church. The foundation stone was laid on the 4th of September of 1862 by John Blackie. The final cost was almost two times the initial budget for the building (fig. I).
The

Get Access