St Patrick
Anderston, Strathclyde
Alexander 'Greek' Thomson was a Scottish architect with a penchant for overtly combining classical and oriental architectural styles.
Glasgow, City of Glasgow
He was perhaps an unusual choice for designing a Presbyterian church in central Glasgow, yet in doing so he created one of his enduring masterpieces.
The exterior appears to be a Greek temple on a large base paired with a tall square tower of varying classical, Egyptian and Indian influences. Once inside, it becomes clear the base is the main body of the church, while the temple forms the clerestory and roof.
The exotic theme continues with colourful Egyptian style cast iron columns with stylised capitals supporting the gallery. There is also an impressive pulpit and organ case combination, with unusual sloping door cases. The wooden pews are beautifully carved and shaped to curve towards the central pulpit, a main feature of Presbytarian churches.
Now owned by Glasgow City Council this extraordinary building has been recognised as Alexander Thomson's last surviving intact church and in recent years has received grants for restoration work to be carried out.
Anderston, Strathclyde
Glasgow, City of Glasgow
It’s a strange name, St George’s Tron, more reminiscent of legends about dragon slaying or cult science fiction films, than the name of a Presbyterian place of worship!
Glasgow, City of Glasgow
The Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St Andrew built in the city centre of Glasgow is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, designed in 1814 by James Gillespie Graham in the Neo Gothic style.