I was recently asked for more information on St John's church ( the first RC church to be built in the town) but although I am sure that the church itself has more details the only mention of it in "The History Of Port Glasgow" by Macarthur is this-
"With a population so largely made up of migrants from Ireland there is a very large Roman Catholic section of the community. In 1853 there were 332. By 1931 the number had risen to approximately 8350. In the early part of the last century their religious wants were supplied by a priest from Greenock. It was not until 1846 that one was resident. In January of that year Father John Carolan was appointed. At the time there was an epidemic of cholera, and he proved himself to be brave and self sacrificing."

St Johns RC Church

"By 1854 St John's church, in Shore Street, was completed. Mention has been made of the interest of the body in purchasing a derelict shipyard which is being converted into a recreation ground. It will prove to be of great benefit and source of health and recreation, particularly for the children whose principal playgrounds are the dangerous public thoroughfares"

Other Buildings Worthy Of Mentioning

Clune Park School in Port Glasgow was built in 1887 by Hugh and David Barclay.

With 8-bay palistrade and at the first floor jubilee busts of Victoria and Albert.

This building is still in use as a school today.

The population counts in this peice are taken from the Statistical Account for Scotland. In 1853 the population of Port Glasgow was roughly 6,986. By 1931 there was a population count of 19,580 for the town.

Clune Park Church built in 1905 by Boston, Menzies and Morton has what is described as "quite the most lovely Art Nouveau gothic traceried window filling the gable above the a verandah-like porch"

The money for the building of this church was gifted from Adam Birkmyre.

This building has not feared so well and is now in quiet an appalling condition.

This page last modified on Tuesday, March 04, 2003

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