Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral on Castle Street, Townhead, is the High Kirk of Glasgow, a Church of Scotland parish church and the only cathedral on the Scottish mainland to survive the Reformation substantially intact. Historic Environment Scotland lists it at Category A (LB32654).
- Location
- Glasgow, City of Glasgow
- Country
- Scotland
- County
- City of Glasgow
- City / town
- Glasgow
- Address
- Castle Street, Glasgow, City of Glasgow, G4 0QZ
- Postcode
- G4 0QZ
- Built
- c.1118–early 14th century; spire and Blackadder Aisle 15th century
- Consecrated
- 1136; reconsecrated 1197
- Denomination
- Church of Scotland
- Dedication
- Mungo
- Parish
- Glasgow Cathedral
- Grade
- Category A
- Style
- Gothic
- Materials
- Blonde sandstone
- Grid reference
- NS 603 656
- Opening hours
- Cathedral visiting times for private prayer, tourists, or simply those looking for a quiet space. We are closed for lunch 12 noon to 1pm everyday. 1 April to 30 September : Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 1pm to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) 1 October to 31 March: Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm Sunday 1pm to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
- Access
- Accessible toilets in church. Accessible toilets nearby. Level access to the main areas. Non-accessible toilets in church
Overview
Historic Environment Scotland records a new cathedral begun about 1118 and consecrated in 1136, with further work in the 1180s before a second consecration in 1197. Fragments of that early building survive in the south-east crypt. Major campaigns from about 1200 produced the present crypt and choir by mid-century; the nave was resumed in the late thirteenth century. A fifteenth-century fire destroyed a timber spire, rebuilt in stone by mid-century. Archbishop Blackadder completed the Blackadder Aisle between 1483 and 1508. The cathedral is dedicated to St Kentigern (St Mungo). The fabric is local blonde sandstone.
West flanking towers were demolished in 1846–48; Edward Blore recast the great west window first opened by David Hamilton in 1812. The building has been Crown property since 1587 and in state care since 1857. It remains a living parish of the Church of Scotland's Presbytery of Glasgow, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. Scottish listing is noted in Further Information only.