Step inside Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church a magnificent structure in Glasgow. Its history is rich and fascinating. It wasn’t always called Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church. Originally it was simply Hillhead Parish Church. This reflects the area’s rapid growth during the late 19th century. The University of Glasgow’s move to Gilmorehill fueled this expansion. The Church of Scotland responded by building a temporary church in 1871. This was a simple corrugated iron structure. It stood in a field where Athole Gardens now sits.
The temporary church proved inadequate. The congregation quickly outgrew it. A decision was made to build a permanent church. This proved challenging. Old mine workings complicated finding a suitable site. The new church designed by James Sellar finally opened on October 8 1876. It’s modeled after the stunning Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Imagine the grandeur of the Parisian Gothic masterpiece replicated in Glasgow.
Initially the congregation fell under Govan Old Parish Church’s supervision. In 1882 Hillhead Parish Church gained its own Kirk Session. This made it a quoad sacra parish a parish for religious purposes but not a civil one.
Further unions shaped the church’s identity. In 1950 Belmont Church joined Hillhead. Then in 1978 Kelvinside Botanic Gardens Church united with them. This created the Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church we know today. The name reflects this merging of congregations and locations. The old Hillhead Parish Church buildings in Observatory Road became the church’s home. Interestingly the former Kelvinside Parish Church building became the Oran Mor restaurant and entertainment venue. The ceiling was designed by the remarkable Glaswegian writer and artist Alasdair Gray.
The church itself is a testament to Victorian architecture. It’s a Category A listed building. Its stained glass windows are breathtaking. These include windows by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and Sadie McLellan. The organ a Henry Willis creation has been rebuilt multiple times. It sits majestically beneath the beautiful rose window. The building underwent significant roof repairs in 2017-2018. Page & Park Architects oversaw this extensive project. Improvements included flashing pointing and guttering.
Today Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church continues to serve its community. It stands as a beautiful and historic landmark. It’s a symbol of Glasgow’s enduring spirit and its architectural heritage.