St Sophia

This distinctive church was created by architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and was constructed 1885-6.

Galston, Strathclyde

Opening times

Open by arrangement.

Address

Bentinck Street
Galston
Strathclyde
KA4 8HT

The third Marquess of Bute, a wealthy Catholic convert, commissioned Anderson to enhance Galston with a touch of Byzantine exoticism, so St Sophia echoes aspects of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

While the red brick glows when bathed in a sunset, the interior has calming white walls, and elegant arches with lines that swoop within its cruciform structure.

Key features

Social heritage stories
Glorious furnishings
Captivating architecture

Facilities

Walkers & cyclists welcome
Space to secure your bike
Parking within 250m
On street parking at church
Level access to the main areas
Dog friendly
Accessible toilets nearby

Denomination

Catholic Church

Other nearby churches

Laigh Kirk

Kilmarnock, Strathclyde

New Laigh Kirk has many unique features and attracts visitors, the stained glass windows are of national importance and there are links to Robert Burns and to the Covenanters.

Fenwick Parish Church

Fenwick, Strathclyde

This whitewashed church was built in 1643 in the shape of a Greek cross, having four arms of equal length.

Craigie Symington Church

Symington, Strathclyde

Set in a conservation village the church, built in 1160, remains one of the finest examples of a Norman church still in use in Scotland.

Opening times

Address

55.59937, -4.3776926

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