Church Overview

Designed by Jack Coia, of the famous firm of Glllespie, Kidd & Coia, and opened in 1938, St Peter in Chains is probably the most academic of Coia’s churches of this period. Construction began in 1936, undertaken by building contractors Findlay and McGeechan of Glasgow. The building’s exterior was finished by September 1937 and entire church was completed for a total cost of £10,000. It was officially opened on Sunday 2 October 1938 by the Archbishop of Glasgow, the Most Reverend Donald Mackintosh.

Built in reddish brick, the church has a high west gable and a striking tower that’s reminiscent of Stockholm Town Hall. It was described by critics at the time as being “built in the modern Swedish manner” and as “an essay in the Swedish style”. It possesses a magnificent main arched doorway, mostly made of brick but with a carved stone keystone and interesting repeating pattern of bricks extending up to the gable roof where it terminates in a small, well-detailed cross. The entrance porch has small windows and contains holy water stoups in recesses as well as a granite font.

The interior of the church is simpler than many visitors expect, with a cream plaster finish, marble altar and altar rails and American white oak seats. The main nave is flanked by four substantial brick pillars. The aisle roofs slope down to the side windows. Confessionals are situated along both sides towards the back of the church. The rear of the church is finished in brick, as are the aisle walls and pillars.

The altar features the inscription “Altare Privilegiatum” in Roman Trajan lettering, which means “Privileged Altar.” Positioned above the altar is a striking plaster canopy adorned with scalloped edges, including five panels with decorative motifs including the keys of Saint Peter, the bull of Saint Luke, the eagle of Saint John, the lion of Saint Mark and the angel of Saint Matthew. The balcony above the sanctuary, that houses the organ, bears the lettering “Tu Es Petrus Et Super Hanc Petram Aedificabo Ecclesiam Meum”. This inscription is also found inscribed upon the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and means “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and to you I will give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Services

Monday to Friday Mass at 10am, Saturday Vigil Mass at 5.30pm and Sunday Mass at 10.30am

Opening Arrangements

Open daily 9.00am-7.30pm

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.