Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral stands near the heart of Scotland’s largest city. It’s the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 virtually intact.

Around it there used to be a chanonry – a precinct where the bishops (and, later, archbishops) and clergy lived. A thriving burgh sprang up to its south and west under the bishops’ patronage. Since then, the burgh has grown into the great metropolis we know today.

This inspiring edifice dates mostly from the 1200s. It was dedicated to St Kentigern, also known as St Mungo.

Kentigern is believed to have been the first bishop of the area that is modern Strathclyde. His influence spread widely, and it was later claimed he led a diocese stretching from Loch Lomond to Cumbria.

It’s thought that Kentigern was buried on the cathedral site around 612.

Learn about Glasgow’s origins on our blog

In 1174, Bishop Jocelin was put in charge of increasing the power base in Glasgow and enlarging the cathedral. Parts of the cathedral built during Bishop Jocelin’s time are still standing. He began a major expansion in 1181, and remains of the earlier cathedral have also been found in the structure.

When a fire brought Jocelin’s project to a halt, his successors—especially Bishop William de Bondington (1233–58)—continued the work and brought the building to completion.

The resulting Gothic cathedral features:

• long rows of pointed arches

• tall windows filled with delicate stone tracery

• a distinctive arrangement of three vaulted aisles around the presbytery and choir

The Reformation ended the need for bishops who answered to the Pope. Although bishops remained in the Scottish church until their final abolition in 1689, their influence was much reduced.

Glasgow Cathedral was stripped of its Catholic furnishings and repurposed as a parish kirk — actually three kirks in one building. The choir became the Inner High Kirk, the west end of the nave the Outer High Kirk, and the crypt the Barony Kirk.

Rising interest in medieval architecture later brought another shift. By 1835, both the Outer High Kirk and the Barony Kirk had moved out, allowing the medieval cathedral to regain something closer to its original character.

In 1836, the cathedral became state property, and by 1857 the entire building was managed by the State. A major programme of restoration began and continues today.