Grey facing brick. That’s the first thing you notice about St Joachim’s RC Church. A long church it is. The presbytery is close by to the south. Low-pitched metal-clad roofs top both buildings. This architectural marvel in Carmyle Glasgow stands as a testament to a bygone era. St Joachim’s RC Church wasn’t just built it was designed. Designed by Gillespie Kidd and Coia in 1956. The church boasts a unique rectangular plan. There’s a low flat-roofed side chapel to the west. An open pitch-roofed belfry sits near the northwest corner. It frames the entrance beautifully.
Notice the windows. Two tiers of them. Diamond-shaped at the lower level. Rectangular at the upper level. The side chapel mirrors this unique design with its own diamond-shaped windows. The north gable is striking with four diamond windows. Above them a pair of trapezoidal windows complete the picture. The roof originally copper-clad now sports coated steel. Inside plastered walls meet timber altar furniture. An iron screen separates the baptistry from the nave and vestibule.
The presbytery a two-story building with a single-story wing is still topped with its original copper roof. It connects to the church via a corridor. Beyond that a robing room and sacristy. Steel gates and railings guard the entrance. Look closely. You’ll see a white-painted cross motif. It’s a small detail that speaks volumes about the church’s devotion. This economical design is one of the firm’s best. The unusual fenestration mirrors similar designs found at St Michael’s in Dumbarton and St Laurence’s in Greenock. St Joachim’s RC Church isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a historical landmark a piece of Glasgow’s architectural heritage. A building designed for its community and its faith. It is a place where history resonates. It’s a quiet corner of Glasgow that deserves your attention. A tribute to faith community and the enduring legacy of Gillespie Kidd and Coia.