A richly detailed Gothic Revival church, rebuilt after fire with an Irish architectural connection, remains the principal focus of Lanark's Catholic parish.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1856-59; rebuilt 1908-10
- Architect / designer
- George Goldie and Matthew Hadfield; rebuilding by Ashlin and Coleman
- Type
- Gothic Revival Roman Catholic church
- Designation
- Listed building, Category A (LB37062)
- OS grid reference
- NS 88570 43510
Architecture and continuing use
Rock-faced stone, a tall buttressed west front and traceried windows create a strong vertical composition. The restored interior combines Gothic structure with early twentieth-century fittings and glass.
Its story
The church expresses the growth and confidence of Lanark's nineteenth-century Catholic community. Its reconstruction after a destructive fire retained the established landmark while giving the interior a renewed architectural character.
Why it is included
Category A quality, prominent town setting, notable designers and continuous worship make St Mary's central to Lanark's religious and architectural story.
What to notice
- The tall west front and deeply moulded entrance.
- Tracery and buttressing along the nave.
- The relationship between Victorian fabric and the post-fire interior.
Reading the surroundings
The parish publishes Mass times and contact details. Enter as a place of worship and expect access to vary for services, funerals and parish activity.
Timeline
- 1856-59 George Goldie and Matthew Hadfield created the first church on St Vincent Place.
- 1907 Fire caused severe damage to the Victorian interior.
- 1908-10 Ashlin and Coleman directed a substantial reconstruction.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The linked hall and presbytery have separate statutory identities and are not treated as part of this record.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Lanark, LB37062 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- Motherwell Diocese: St Mary's, Lanark — Current parish identity, address, clergy and continuing worship.
Location
OS grid reference NS 88570 43510 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Lanark 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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