Church of St. Teresa of Lisieux

On a hill overlooking Saracen Street sits the Church of St. Teresa of Lisieux. It’s a place of peace and prayer. It’s also a testament to the enduring spirit of a community. The land, once part of the Craigbank Estate, became the site of the church due to overcrowding at St. Agnes in Lambhill. The Church of St. Teresa of Lisieux was a much-needed expansion for the growing Catholic community in Possilpark. Father McMenemy, the parish priest of St. Agnes, purchased the ten-acre plot specifically for this purpose. In September 1932, Father John Conlan celebrated his first mass at 177 Saracen Street. This marked the beginning of St. Teresa of Lisieux’s presence in the area, even before the physical church was built. A temporary church was erected by December 1932. By 1934, a new parish house was completed. The “temporary church” served the parish faithfully through the war years. However, the dream of a permanent structure remained alive. On December 8, 1960, that dream became reality. The new Church of St. Teresa of Lisieux was officially opened by Archbishop Campbell. The church was designed by Alexander McAnally to accommodate 1,000 people. It was considered a triumph, renowned for its artistic and architectural beauty. The stained glass, wrought-iron, and marble are magnificent. The statues at the side altars, the stations of the cross, and the smaller statues above the doorway are all Oberammergau carvings. The life-size crucifix over the main altar was carved by James McAnally in Glasgow. Both the church and the parish house are listed buildings. This presented a challenge when the temporary church, then used as a hall, was destroyed by vandals. With limited funds, architects Paige & Park cleverly incorporated a small hall within the church itself. They reused the surplus oak benches as wall panels. This innovative design allowed the parish to retain a large church, a small hall, and a gathering area, all within the original church footprint. This design inspired other churches facing similar challenges. The Church of St. Teresa of Lisieux continues to serve its community. Its services include Sunday Masses (a Saturday vigil at 5:00 pm and a Sunday morning mass at 10:30 am) and daily masses at 10:00 am. Confessions are held on Saturday mornings at 10:30 am and Saturday evenings from 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm. The Church of St. Teresa of Lisieux stands as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and faith in the heart of Possilpark.