This small red-stone chapel gives Wemyss Bay a deliberately modest Gothic place of worship, now serving the parish of St Joseph and St Patrick.
Quick facts
- Date
- Probably about 1890–1900
- Architect / designer
- Architect not recorded in the designation
- Type
- Small Gothic Revival Roman Catholic church
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB12470)
- OS grid reference
- NS 19497 69828
Architecture and continuing use
The church is a simple Gothic Revival chapel built in red stone. Its compact scale and limited ornament distinguish it from the elaborate villas and transport architecture nearby while still providing a clear ecclesiastical presence.
Its story
The building was probably erected around the turn of the twentieth century and was recorded by HES as remaining in ecclesiastical use. The present parish identity is St Joseph and St Patrick, and the Diocese of Paisley publishes current worship information for the Forbes Place church.
Why it is included
It represents worship and community life within a selection otherwise dominated by transport and private villas, while its scale shows a different use of the settlement’s characteristic red stone.
What to notice
- The compact chapel form on Forbes Place.
- Pointed Gothic openings set in red masonry.
- The contrast between restrained church fabric and nearby villas.
Reading the surroundings
Respect services, prayer and parish activities. Enter only when the parish indicates that the church is open, and use public streets without blocking neighbours or church access.
Timeline
- About 1890–1900 The red-stone Gothic Revival chapel was probably constructed.
- 10 September 1979 The church entered the statutory list at Category C.
- 2026 The Diocese of Paisley continued to list worship at the Wemyss Bay parish.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The designation provides only an approximate date and does not name an architect. Worship times can change and should be checked with the parish.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: St Joseph and St Patrick’s Church, LB12470 — Current designation status, official mapped location, date, fabric and significance.
- Diocese of Paisley: parish finder — Current parish identity, address and worship information for St Joseph and St Patrick, Wemyss Bay.
- St Joseph and St Patrick parish website — Current parish activity and contact information.
- Trove search: St Joseph church Wemyss Bay — National collection search for site records, surveys, photographs and archive material.
Location
OS grid reference NS 19497 69828 · Location confidence: High for the current national designation point; public text separately states access, component-identity and current-use uncertainty. · 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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