Church Overview

Sitting on a prominent elevated position in Glasgow’s south side, prolific Scottish architect Peter MacGregor Chalmers was responsible for the design of the Romanesque revival church, its vestry and church hall while its chancel and Lady Chapel were designed by architect William Gordon Galloway. Built in stages, between 1908 and 1935, the church was dedicated to St Margaret of Scotland in 1923 and consecrated on 25 December 1928. The iconic tower was eventually completed by 1935, having originally been intended to be a spire.

The heavily European-influenced basilica church possesses an apse at each end of the building, the ceilings of which have been decorated with exquisite and colourful mosaics. The ceiling of the western apse, housing the baptistry, portrays the Descent of the Holy Spirit, and was made in 1921 by the Glasgow firm of marble-cutters and sculptors Galbraith and Winton, the colourful mosaic floor beneath, depicting items association with children and childhood, was added in 1958. The ceiling of the eastern apse, above the stunning carved altar designed by Chalmers and dedicated to those parishioners that fell in World War One, depicts in luminous gold and shining blue tiles Christ in Glory, with Christ seated on a rainbow flanked by the archangels Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel on either side. This mosaic was created by the firm of Powell and Sons of London in 1927.

Every column of the sanctuary has a slightly differently carved capital, leading the visitors’ eyes upwards to the solid arches above and the attractive pitch pine barrel-vaulted ceiling over the nave. The beautifully carved pulpit, choir stalls, bishop’s chair and organ casing were also all designed by Galloway and made from Austrian oak, each piece greatly enhancing the ambience and warmth of this part of the building. The magnificent Blackett and Howden pipe organ was dedicated in 1924 and fully refurbished in 2014.

The Italian marble font in the baptistery, made by Galbraith and Wilson in 1910-12, is a carved angel holding, with outstretched arms, a large scallop shell that holds the water used during baptisms. It was created in the style of Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen’s famous font in the Vor Frue Kirke in Copenhagen. St Margaret’s also possesses 25 fine stained glass windows, by various artists including Gordon Webster, McCulloch & Co, St Enoch Studio, Morris & Co, Roland Mitton, John Clark and a large number of windows by Powell and Sons, including a handsome set in the Lady Chapel that depict various scenes from the life of St Margaret.

Services

Sundays at 9am and 10.30am, Tuesdays at 10am and Thursdays at 7pm

A short online service is also held Mon – Friday at 9am (contact church directly for login details)

Opening Arrangements

Office open from 9.30 am until 1.30 pm Mon – Fri

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.