Church Overview

Opening its doors for the first time in 1962, St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, was designed by architect Alexander Ritchie Conlon, senior partner in the prominent firm of Reginald Fairlie & Partners, who also responsible for the design of St Francis Xavier’s Church as well as several other notable Scottish Catholic churches. 

Designed along an east west axis, the nave is formed from a steel-welded frame that rises sharply to the high ridge above, holding aloft a roof covered in green slates. The sanctuary fills the nave and features include a tapestry at the high altar depicting Jesus and two disciples at Emmaus. The interior was reordered in the late 1970s, to comply with the instructions of the Second Vatican Council 

A 14 foot high granite statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, by eminent Scottish sculptor, Hew Lorimer greets visitors as they arrive at the main door, located at the foot of the church’s prominent triangular green, timber-clad gable, that looks out over the Largs Esplanade. The gable possesses eight stained glass panels that cast a rainbow of light inside the building on sunny days. 

Services

Saturday Vigil 6.00pm, Sunday 10.00am

Opening Arrangements

Open 8.30am-8.00pm in summer, 8.30am-3.30pm in winter

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.