The History
Castlemilk West Church traces it's orgins back to around 1955, when a few people started worshipping in a nearby builders hut. The first minister went on to be inducted in September of 1955, and following that a Kirk Session was formed, compising of elders of neighbouring congregations. As the church outgrew it's first home, services were held in several nearby schools, and just two years after formation, the church had almost 500 members. The new church opened on 12th Dec 1958 and continued to grow in the following years. Initially on opening two services were held on Sundays in order to accomodate the growing number of members.
In 2012 Castlemilk Parish was formed, merging the former East and West Parishes, and in 2016 a new church was opened in a more central location - along the same road where the builders hut was where the story began over 60 years prior. Following closure little has happened to the former West Church, it has just sat there decaying away unused until its ultimate demolition.
The Explore
So I explored this place with @Brewtal just about a year ago now in June 2020, following a tip off about an insecure door. It wasn't a particularly massive place but nice to explore a local landmark that I have passed a fair few times on my travels. It was nice to get in before the place was totally wrecked by the local neds or tour bussed. I made a return trip a few days after to get some external shots, and then the later pics of demolition were taken in June 2021.
Artist's Impression (left), and shortly after opening (right)
The Demolition
So I do end up driving by here fairly often, about a month back I noticed Heras fence had been erected. After reading of the plans online to build 36 new affordable flats on the site, I knew demolition would be imminent. Following a week away, on passing by again they'd really moved at pace and half of the building was down already, so I stopped to get some pics. As of the time of posting this report the entire church has been flattened. After about 60 years, Castlemilk West Church, aka 'Noah's Ark' is no more.
Thanks for looking!
Castlemilk West Church traces it's orgins back to around 1955, when a few people started worshipping in a nearby builders hut. The first minister went on to be inducted in September of 1955, and following that a Kirk Session was formed, compising of elders of neighbouring congregations. As the church outgrew it's first home, services were held in several nearby schools, and just two years after formation, the church had almost 500 members. The new church opened on 12th Dec 1958 and continued to grow in the following years. Initially on opening two services were held on Sundays in order to accomodate the growing number of members.
In 2012 Castlemilk Parish was formed, merging the former East and West Parishes, and in 2016 a new church was opened in a more central location - along the same road where the builders hut was where the story began over 60 years prior. Following closure little has happened to the former West Church, it has just sat there decaying away unused until its ultimate demolition.
The Explore
So I explored this place with @Brewtal just about a year ago now in June 2020, following a tip off about an insecure door. It wasn't a particularly massive place but nice to explore a local landmark that I have passed a fair few times on my travels. It was nice to get in before the place was totally wrecked by the local neds or tour bussed. I made a return trip a few days after to get some external shots, and then the later pics of demolition were taken in June 2021.
Artist's Impression (left), and shortly after opening (right)
The Demolition
So I do end up driving by here fairly often, about a month back I noticed Heras fence had been erected. After reading of the plans online to build 36 new affordable flats on the site, I knew demolition would be imminent. Following a week away, on passing by again they'd really moved at pace and half of the building was down already, so I stopped to get some pics. As of the time of posting this report the entire church has been flattened. After about 60 years, Castlemilk West Church, aka 'Noah's Ark' is no more.
Thanks for looking!
