Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in the city and marks the site where St Mungo is thought to have been buried in 612 AD. The original cathedral was concecrated in 1136, however it was destroyed by fire.Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in the city and marks the site where St Mungo is thought to have been buried in 612 AD. The original cathedral was concecrated in 1136, however it was destroyed by fire.
Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in the city and marks the site where St Mungo is thought to have been buried in 612 AD. The original cathedral was concecrated in 1136, however it was destroyed by fire. | Glasgowist

History of Glasgow: The origins of Glasgow told through the story of Glasgow Cathedral in 6 pictures

Callum McCormack
By Callum McCormack

News Features Writer

Published 8th Oct 2024, 17:51 BST
Updated 9th May 2025, 14:14 BST

Take a look at the history of one of Glasgow’s most important buildings - Glasgow Cathedral.

Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in the city and has been an important part of not just religious, but also civic life in Glasgow for more nearly 1500 years.

It has undergone massive changes in that time, with some designed to bring it into the modern world - while other changes have meant that aspects of Glasgow’s history have been lost to time.

Take a look at our quick history of Glasgow Cathedral and let us know what your memories of the building are.

Work on Glasgow Cathedral has never really stopped, in the 1840s and 1850s a number of buildings and towers, including two towers which flanked the western front, were brought down. However, in the early 20th century work was done to replace the medieval timber roofs and works by modern artists such as The Creation or The Evangelists, by Francis Spear, or Sadie McLellan's depiction of Christ, replaced the degraded Munich Windows.

5. Continued restoration

Work on Glasgow Cathedral has never really stopped, in the 1840s and 1850s a number of buildings and towers, including two towers which flanked the western front, were brought down. However, in the early 20th century work was done to replace the medieval timber roofs and works by modern artists such as The Creation or The Evangelists, by Francis Spear, or Sadie McLellan's depiction of Christ, replaced the degraded Munich Windows. | Getty Images

In recent years, Glasgow Cathedral has taken centre stage in a number of historical events, such as the funeral of First Minister Donald Dewar in 2000. Queen Elizabeth II attended two services of thanksgiving to mark her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The Cathedral is still a must see for anyone interested in Glasgow's history.

6. Recent importance

In recent years, Glasgow Cathedral has taken centre stage in a number of historical events, such as the funeral of First Minister Donald Dewar in 2000. Queen Elizabeth II attended two services of thanksgiving to mark her Silver Jubilee in 1977 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The Cathedral is still a must see for anyone interested in Glasgow's history. | Contributed

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