A broad Romanesque front and sanctuary filled with angel windows give Paisley’s Catholic cathedral a calm monumentality shaped for a large urban congregation.
Quick facts
- Date
- Built 1930–1932; became the cathedral church in 1948
- Architect / designer
- Thomas Baird
- Type
- Neo-Romanesque Roman Catholic cathedral
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB46284)
- OS grid reference
- NS 48799 64223
Architecture and continuing use
Cream sandstone walls, round arches and a canted apse define a restrained Romanesque composition. The entrance is framed by the narthex and towers; Art Deco Stations of the Cross enrich the interior.
Its story
Thomas Baird designed the present church in 1930–1932 to replace an earlier nineteenth-century building. It became the cathedral church of the new Diocese of Paisley in 1948.
Why it is included
It is a major twentieth-century church whose architectural character, diocesan role and continuing daily worship remain closely connected.
What to notice
- The round-arched Romanesque entrance composition.
- The canted apse and strongly massed flanking elements.
- Inside during respectful access, the twelve angel windows and Art Deco Stations of the Cross.
Reading the surroundings
This is an active cathedral. Worship and private prayer take priority; check the cathedral’s current service and opening information and avoid disruption.
Timeline
- Built 1930–1932 Thomas Baird designed the present church in 1930–1932 to replace an earlier nineteenth-century building.
- Present Active cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paisley.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Published sources differ slightly over whether cathedral status dates from 1947 or 1948. The record uses the cathedral’s own account while retaining the discrepancy for editorial review.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: St Mirin’s Cathedral, LB46284 — Designation category, exact grid reference, construction phases, fabric, authorship and significance.
- St Mirin’s Cathedral: official site — Current cathedral identity, diocesan role, worship, address and visitor context.
- Scotland’s Churches Trust: St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley — Independent church-directory account of architecture, denomination, listing, services and published opening arrangements.
Location
OS grid reference NS 48799 64223 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an exact National Grid Reference and the current operator confirms the building and address. · 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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