St Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Ever wondered how a Presbyterian architect could be excommunicated for designing a church? Here at St Andrew’s-by-the-Green, that’s exactly what happened. St Andrew’s-by-the-Green, nestled beside Glasgow Green, is more than just a beautiful building. It’s a testament to the complex religious history of Scotland. Constructed between 1750 and 1752, St Andrew’s holds the distinction of being the oldest Episcopal church building erected in Scotland after the Reformation. The church’s design, a symmetrical classical masterpiece, was the work of Andrew Hunter, ironically a Presbyterian himself. His involvement in creating a place of worship for a different denomination led to his excommunication from the Church of Scotland. The construction, undertaken by masons Andrew Hunter and William Paul, along with wright Thomas Thomson, cost a total of £1,250 12s 9d. This included the purchase of the site, the stonework, and the interior furnishings. St Andrew’s-by-the-Green earned a unique nickname, the “Whistlin’ Kirk” or the “Kist o’ Whistles”. This was due to it being the first church in Glasgow to install an organ for public worship, a practice not common in Presbyterian churches at the time. The organ itself had an interesting journey. Originally built by John Snetzler in 1747, it was purchased from a chapel in Edinburgh and installed at St Andrew’s in 1775. It underwent enlargements and replacements over the years, eventually finding its final resting place in the University of Glasgow’s Concert Hall. The church’s location beside the low-lying Glasgow Green meant it was often flooded before the park was leveled. St Andrew’s served as a place of worship until 1975, after which it fell victim to vandalism. Thankfully, valuable items like the pulpit were saved and moved to the People’s Palace on Glasgow Green. St Andrew’s-by-the-Green was later renovated thanks to a major fundraising effort, including contributions from John Crichton-Stuart, 6th Marquess of Bute. Today, this historic church serves as the headquarters of the Glasgow Association for Mental Health, a fitting continuation of its legacy of service and community.