St Aloysius' Church, Garnethill

The building

Ménart took Namur Cathedral and the Gesù in Rome as models, giving Glasgow an unusually continental church. The foundation stone was laid in 1908 and the church opened in February 1910. When built, it was the only Catholic church in the city with a tower; two of its bells came from a set first hung at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Inside

Four side chapels open off the nave, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, Our Lady, the Holy Souls and St Ignatius. The national shrine to St John Ogilvie, the Jesuit martyr executed in Glasgow in 1615, was added in 1933, and a copy of the Black Madonna of Montserrat was given to the church in 2008. The church seats around 800.

Visiting

St Aloysius' is the only church in Glasgow run by the Jesuits and remains a busy parish, so be respectful during Mass. Check the parish website for service times before visiting. Garnethill sits on a steep hill just above Sauchiehall Street, close to the Glasgow School of Art. The tower is easy to spot from the streets below if you are finding your way up.

Highlights

• Category A-listed Baroque Revival church
• Opened in 1910, designed by Charles Ménart
• Modelled on the Gesù in Rome and Namur Cathedral
• National shrine of St John Ogilvie
• Glasgow's only Jesuit-run church

Good to know

• This is an active parish; check Mass times on the parish website before visiting.
• Garnethill is on a steep hill above Sauchiehall Street.

Frequently asked questions