Barony Parish, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Notes:








The Barony Church has existed for approximately 400 years, dating from before 1595 until 1985. Over that time it became one of the top parishes of the Church of Scotland. Among the notable ministers who have resided in the Barony Parish are Zachary Boyd (1625?1653), Norman McLeod (1851?1872) and John White (1911-1934). Barony Parish received its name from the Barony of Glasgow.



The early Barony Church, which was established in a crypt was mentioned in Sir Walter Scott's Rob Roy. In the book, which was set in the early 18th century, the church was described as :"an extensive range of low-browed, dark, and twilight vaults, such as are used for sepulchres in other countries, and had long been dedicated to the same purpose in this, a portion of which was seated with pews and used as a church. The part of the vaults thus occupied, though capable of containing a congregation of many hundreds, bore a small proportion to the darker and more extensive caverns which yawned around what may be termed the inhabited space."



The conditions of the early church gradually worsened over time, until it was decided to be rebuilt in 1798 with the architect James Adam. The new design was met with praise, as well as criticism. Some considered it an architectural jewel, whilst others despised its looks and considered it borderline unappealing, even repulsive. One of the Church's own ministers, Dr. Norman McLeod, is reported to have advised Queen Victoria that it was ?the ugliest Kirk in all Europe.? With the opening of this new church, the old crypt was used as a burial ground until 1844.

Latitude: 56.688938, Longitude: -4.0426

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