Austere red brick, deep arcades and integrated sculpture give this large inter-war church an imposing civic presence in Rutherglen.
Quick facts
- Date
- Designed and built 1934–1940
- Architect / designer
- Gillespie, Kidd and Coia; sculpture by Archibald Dawson, Mortimer, Wilson and Graham
- Type
- Red-brick basilican church and presbytery with monumental sculpted street front
- Designation
- Listed building, Category A (LB33567)
- OS grid reference
- NS 61405 61636
Architecture and continuing use
A basilican interior sits behind a massive pylon-like street front, where five tall arcaded bays, stone door surrounds and sculpted figures create a carefully ordered ceremonial entrance.
Its story
Gillespie, Kidd and Coia designed the church in 1934–1940, working with several sculptors. The building remains the centre of an active Catholic parish.
Why it is included
It is a major inter-war church by one of Scotland’s most important modern architectural practices and integrates architecture and sculpture with unusual force.
What to notice
- Five tall arcaded bays across the street front.
- Stone reliefs over the entrances.
- Contrast between austere brick massing and carefully placed sculpture.
Reading the surroundings
The parish publishes current Mass times and activities. Respect worship and the private presbytery, and check arrangements before an architectural visit.
Timeline
- Designed and built 1934–1940 Gillespie, Kidd and Coia designed the church in 1934–1940, working with several sculptors. The building remains the centre of an active Catholic parish.
- Present Active Roman Catholic parish church in the Diocese of Motherwell.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Published service and opening times can change; unrestricted access outside worship is not assumed.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: St Columbkille’s Roman Catholic Church, LB33567 — Designation status, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- St Columbkille’s parish — Current parish identity, worship, events and contact information.
- Diocese of Motherwell: St Columbkille’s — Diocesan confirmation of continuing parish use.
Location
OS grid reference NS 61405 61636 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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