A broad gambrel roof, low aisles and a small polygonal chapel give this 1905 church a distinctive Arts and Crafts silhouette.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1905; major refurbishment in the early 1970s
- Architect / designer
- Architect not established in the designation
- Type
- Free-style church with gambrel roof
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB45119)
- OS grid reference
- NS 75682 50932
Architecture and continuing use
Harled walls are gathered beneath a swept slate gambrel roof with exposed rafters. A tall pointed entrance anchors the front, while buttressed aisle bays, a hexagonal chapel and leaded glass create a modest but carefully varied composition. The interior retains an open scissor-braced roof and octagonal arcade columns.
Its story
Catholic worship in Larkhall developed from a mission and chapel-school opened in 1872. Population growth made that dual-purpose building inadequate, leading to the present church, opened in December 1905. A major early-1970s refurbishment renewed services and fittings. The building now serves St Mary’s within the wider Our Lady of Fatima parish.
Why it is included
Category C listing recognises an individual Free-style church, its strong roof form, surviving interior structure and continuing place in Larkhall’s Catholic history.
What to notice
- The sweeping gambrel roof and deep overhanging eaves.
- Scissor braces spanning the open timber ceiling.
- The polygonal chapel beside the entrance.
Reading the surroundings
Attend advertised Mass or contact the parish before a heritage visit. Respect worship, safeguarding arrangements and any restrictions on the chapel, gallery or former school grounds.
Timeline
- 1872 A combined chapel and school established a permanent Catholic base in Larkhall.
- 1905 The new church opened for worship on 17 December.
- early 1970s A major refurbishment renewed building services and liturgical fittings.
- 2019 St Mary’s became part of the newly founded Parish of Our Lady of Fatima.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The original architect is not identified in the national designation. Mass times and access arrangements should be checked with the parish.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, LB45119 — Current designation status, official mapped location, date, fabric and significance.
- Trove designation: LB45119 — Parallel national designation identity and archival context.
- Diocese of Motherwell: St Mary's, Larkhall — First-party current parish identity, address, clergy and worship times.
Location
OS grid reference NS 75682 50932 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; public text separately states access 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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