St Andrew's Metropolitan Cathedral
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Clyde Street, G1 4JY
1816, James Gillespie Graham and Page\Park (renovated in 2011) (Cat A) Glasgow's first post-Reformation Catholic Church has stunning décor and contemporary artwork, including Peter Howson's 'St John Ogilvie' and a baptismal font by Tim Pomeroy. Outside, the Italian Cloister Garden is a peaceful space with a memorial to the Arandora Star tragedy.
Today, St Andrew's Cathedral is seen in a new light since the renovation work completed in April 2011. Visitors remark on the brightness and the colour which are now the features of a much-loved city-centre church restored to the people of Glasgow and welcoming all who come to visit. The artwork and the imaginative cloister garden all enhance this sacred space. Within the Cathedral you can take time to appreciate the atmosphere of prayer and peace which embraces the visitor. Guides will be available to give a flavour of what makes up the daily programme of this Church, and to describe the various artefacts and the artists behind them, such as the baptismal font by Tim Pomeroy, the painting of St John Ogilvie by Peter Howson, the sculpted doors by Jack Sloane and the late Hector McGarva and the altar and lectern by Archbishop Mario Conti and Neil Reid. The Italian Cloister Garden, with its own entrance from Clyde Street, invites the visitor to read on the wall plaques the story of the Archdiocese of Glasgow and it’s Cathedral. The monument in the centre courtyard recalls the sinking of the Arandora Star during the Second World War and the impact this event had on the Scots Italian community. Come and walk among the mirrored plinths and reflect on the inscribed words from Scripture and literature, or listen to local expert Ralph Gonnella, on hand throughout the day, to guide visitors through the garden and speak of his grandfather who perished on the ill-fated former cruise liner. |
Cathedral: Fri & Sat 9am-12pm, 1.30pm-4pm; Sun 1pm-4pm (Mass at 10am, 12pm & 5.15pm).
Cloister garden: Fri 11am-3pm; Sat & Sun 10.30am-3.30pm. Tours: Cathedral - Fri & Sat 11am, 2.30pm, 3.30pm; Sun 2.30pm, 3.30pm; Meeting point: main entrance to the church Cloister garden - Fri, Sat & Sun on request. Meeting point: Italian Cloister Garden Booking not required Accessibility: Limited access - Wheelchair users can access the Cathedral from the Cloister Garden and from door at west side of building. Stewards will be present. The ground floor of the building and the Italian Cloister Garden are wheelchair accessible but the upstairs area is not. Please note, only the ground floor of the Cathedral is open to the public.
Facilities: Seating, Toilet, Wheelchair Accessible Toilet, Hearing Loop. On street parking available on Dunlop Street - charges apply. Q Park multi story car park located behind the Cathedral on Fox Street. |
Images credit: Keith Hunter