Martyrs' Public School
Encyclopedia
The Martyrs’ Public School, in Parson Street in the Townhead
area of Glasgow
, Scotland
, is one of the earlier works of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh
. Until recently, an arts centre run by Glasgow Museums, it is now home to Glasgow City Council's Social Work Leaving Care Services. It is protected as a category A listed building. Stranded above the main road it was once set in the middle of a densely populated area of tenement
buildings. It was built following the Education (Scotland) Act 1872 which provided for increased public expenditure on education. Commissioned by the School Board of Glasgow and built between 1895 and 1898, the architects were Honeyman and Keppie.
At the time, Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a senior assistant in the practice and his influence can be seen in the building, especially in the details. It was built largely of red sandstone
, as were many of Glasgow’s public buildings of this period, and has many hints of Scotland’s architectural heritage. Inside there is a light central open space, used for access and for school assemblies. Above this two galleries run around the building, giving access to classrooms. Another classroom block spread to the north. There are Art Nouveau
details round the doorways, which indicate separate entrances for Boys, Girls and Infants, as was the custom of the time. The ironwork is often fine, as is the woodwork. The external massing and windows have attracted varying comment.
The building served for many years as the non-denominational public school for Townhead. After the Second World War
, following another Education Act, it became the Martyrs’ Primary School. In 1959 it was briefly a part of Stow College
, but in 1961 became an annex to St Mungo’s Academy
and remained so until 1973. It was an Arts Centre for a little time, run by Forum Arts Trust,
Townhead
-Location:Townhead has no fixed boundaries. In ancient times it was the undeveloped area north of the cathedral and town. If we use this description then it is bordered to the west by the area of Cowcaddens, to the north by Sighthill and the east by Royston and south by Merchant City...
area of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, is one of the earlier works of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect, designer, watercolourist and artist. He was a designer in the Arts and Crafts movement and also the main representative of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom. He had a considerable influence on European design...
. Until recently, an arts centre run by Glasgow Museums, it is now home to Glasgow City Council's Social Work Leaving Care Services. It is protected as a category A listed building. Stranded above the main road it was once set in the middle of a densely populated area of tenement
Tenement
A tenement is, in most English-speaking areas, a substandard multi-family dwelling, usually old, occupied by the poor.-History:Originally the term tenement referred to tenancy and therefore to any rented accommodation...
buildings. It was built following the Education (Scotland) Act 1872 which provided for increased public expenditure on education. Commissioned by the School Board of Glasgow and built between 1895 and 1898, the architects were Honeyman and Keppie.
At the time, Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a senior assistant in the practice and his influence can be seen in the building, especially in the details. It was built largely of red sandstone
Old Red Sandstone
The Old Red Sandstone is a British rock formation of considerable importance to early paleontology. For convenience the short version of the term, 'ORS' is often used in literature on the subject.-Sedimentology:...
, as were many of Glasgow’s public buildings of this period, and has many hints of Scotland’s architectural heritage. Inside there is a light central open space, used for access and for school assemblies. Above this two galleries run around the building, giving access to classrooms. Another classroom block spread to the north. There are Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
details round the doorways, which indicate separate entrances for Boys, Girls and Infants, as was the custom of the time. The ironwork is often fine, as is the woodwork. The external massing and windows have attracted varying comment.
The building served for many years as the non-denominational public school for Townhead. After the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, following another Education Act, it became the Martyrs’ Primary School. In 1959 it was briefly a part of Stow College
Stow College
-History:The college is named after David Stow, whose primary teaching seminary was founded close to the college at Dundasvale. Stow was the first purpose-built Further Education college in Glasgow, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2009....
, but in 1961 became an annex to St Mungo’s Academy
St Mungo's Academy, Glasgow
St Mungo's Academy is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, comprehensive, secondary school located in Bridgeton, Glasgow. The school was founded in 1858, in Townhead originally, by the Marist Brothers religious order. The school has a reputation for academic achievement and sporting excellence,...
and remained so until 1973. It was an Arts Centre for a little time, run by Forum Arts Trust,