Pollokshields
Encyclopedia
Pollokshields is a district in the Southside of Glasgow
, Scotland
. It is a conservation area which was developed in Victorian
times according to a plan promoted by the original landowners, the Stirling-Maxwells
of Pollok
, whose association with the area goes as far back as 1270.
family in 1849, and was set out or 'feued' by the Edinburgh
architect David Rhind
. Many well-known Glaswegian architects contributed to its development and, amongst others, it contains villas by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson
. There are several contributions by contemporaries of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
including a series of good 'Glasgow style' tenements by the architect H. E. Clifford, who was also responsible for the 'A' listed Pollokshields Burgh Hall
, in Scottish Baronial style which was inaugurated in 1890, with Maxwell Park. The ground for Maxwell Park was given by Sir John Stirling-Maxwell of Nether Pollok in 1888, and the park was formally opened at the same time. Such was its early population growth Pollokshields attained 'burgh' status in 1876. However, this ended in 1891 when after being offered favourable tax terms the residents of the burgh agreed to it becoming a suburb
of the growing city of Glasgow. The Victorian and Edwardian architecture and the parks of this area have remained almost untouched, leaving the feeling of a leafy Victorian
suburb, while being well within the city.
Modern Pollokshields is an area of ethnic diversity, home to large communities of mainly Asian peoples including Pakistan
i, as well as Indian
origin. The area's commercial eastern side is home to a large number of South Asian shops (fruit, meat and clothes shops) attracting shoppers from all over Scotland.
Albert Drive is the location of the two Eid
celebrations when the Muslim community of Glasgow congregate to commemorate the end of the holy month of Ramadan
.
was designed by H. E. Clifford during the Scottish Renaissance
in the late 19th Century and is currently listed as a significant building of Pollokshields. Built in Ballochmyle Red Freestone it was opened in 1890 by Sir John Stirling Maxwell whose coat of arms
is depicted in the entrance porch in the stone of the Hall and is recorded in marble
in the floor. To the outside of the building there is very high tower, housing a turret stair and balcony. Throughout the building there are detailed stained glass windows, brought from the town of Pollokshields. The lodge house
adjacent comprises two flat
s; the Sanitary Inspector
and the Park Gardener
used these facilities as living accommodation and they are currently privately let by the Burgh Hall trust. In 1891 the Burgh Hall passed into the hands of Glasgow Council when the city extended its boundaries. In 1938 the back of the building was enlarged; however this meant that the last gallery in the spacious hall had to be sacrificed in order to permit the building of an extension.
By 1975 it was being used by the Social Work
Department of Strathclyde Regional Council as an occupational day centre
. In 1982 a decision was taken to sell it on the open market. This proved controversial—the residents of Pollokshields protested due to its connection to the heritage of the town and the historical significance to the area. Further protests ensued so a charitable trust was formed to ensure that the building would continue to be publicly owned
. The Trust acquired the building for £1 in 1986. Only in 1991 was the title transferred with the condition that the derelict lodge house be restored within five years. Historic Scotland
supported the heritage campaign as well as other organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund
, Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Development Agency and the local community and so the lodge house and the ground floor of ther Hall were completely refurbished and reopened around 1997. The lower ground floor has since attracted further funding and what was once little more than cellar space has been converted to a contemporary conference room, which can be directly accessed from the outside.
Pollokshields Primary Junior and Senior schools is one school split into two buildings on different streets for different age groups; Glendale Primary located on the south edge of Polloksheilds; St. Albert's Primary to the west; and the private Craigholme School for Girls
on Nithsdale Road.
The four secondary schools in the vicinity are Bellahouston Academy
(located on the western edge of Pollokshields near just south of Ibrox stadium and Paisley Road West) Shawlands Academy
(inside the Shawlands area approximately a mile south of Pollokshields), Craigholme School Secondary on St Andrews Drive (an extension of the nursery and primary schools), and Hutchesons Grammar School, a private secondary school on Beaton Road.
(49.6% female and 50.4% male) as of 2008.
41.3% of the total population are below the age of 30. The largest group is the thirty to forty
year olds numbering at 5,485. The elderly population is 3,086 accounting for 14.5% of all citizens.
when Eid
is about to commence. It currently has a broadcasting frequency of 88-89FM, although throughout recent years it has remained at a constant 87.7FM.
Newspapers include The Glaswegian a free paper covering the greater Glasgow area, The Extra which is another local free paper covering Glasgow South and Eastwood and based in Pollokshields. Eastern Eye Scotland, is another tabloid relating news of Asian showbiz businesses, such as Bollywood.
The 2004 film Ae Fond Kiss...
, directed by Ken Loach
, was filmed in Pollokshields. This is the story of a second-generation Asian man, who falls in love with a white girl.
Pollokshields has also been mentioned on the Scottish band 1990s
debut album Cookies they live in the area.
.
Masjid Noor is situated on Forth Street in Pollokshields, and is used by all Muslims in the area. It is the principal Mosque for Friday Prayers. Madrasah Zia-Ul-Quaran is the second of three mosques located in Pollokshields. This mosque is relatively small compared to other mosques around the area. Zia-Ul-Quran has expanded in recent years but still maintains its traditional size. Madrasah Taleem-Ul-Islam is the third in the area. It is situated on Nithsdale Road and is split into two buildings, one of which is used mainly for Islamic classes after school, while the other is used by local Muslims to pray their Salah Prayers. There is currently in the area only one Gurdwara
, situated near Madrasah Taleem-Ul-Islam.
The Church of St Albert the Great in Pollokshields was originally built for a congregation of the United Presbyterian Church
. The Italian Renaissance design by John.B.Wilson was also used in another building, Stockwell Free Church
, in 1887. St Albert's original title was Albert Road Church, being named after Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert
, rather than the German saint of the same name who is the current patron. The Archdiocese of Glasgow acquired the church in 1965 for the new parish
and with very minimal interference to the original interior or exterior design, it was brought back into use as a church in 1967. The cream sandstone facade has a very attractive octagonal vestibule and tall bell tower. St Ninian's church is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church
located on the corner of Albert Drive and Pollokshaws road.
Pollokshields Church of Scotland
was built as Pollokshields Established Church by Robert Baldie in 1877-1878. The architecture is mixed Gothic with an early English tower with tabernacles above the broaches of the spire at the southwest comer of the building. The tower has a clock face on each of its four sides. The south (entrance) front has a large geometrical window above a row of trefoil headed windows with stiff leaf capitals. The side aisles have twin lancet windows beneath the clerestory of triple lancet windows to the main church. The interior has aisle arcades
formed by polished granite columns on high octagonal sandstone bases with French
Gothic
capitals supporting pointed arches beneath the clerestory
windows and the high scissor braced roof trusses. Each column cap is different The timber roof of the side aisles and the main trusses add to the grandeur of the interior. The south balcony is reached by a staircase from the east porch. The deep chancel was remodelled in 1912-1914 with new organ
, pulpit and communion table
.
Sherbrooke St. Gilbert's Church is another Church of Scotland
congregation. The church was built in 1894 and had to be rebuilt following a serious fire in 1994. It is located on Nithsdale Road, close to Dumbreck railway station
.
Darnley Street Family centre serves as a community centre; it also focuses on creating local youth clubs of which there are currently two, one meeting on Wednesdays for boys aged 8–14 years and a similar group for girls aged 8–14 years which meets on Thursdays.
Clydesdale Cricket Club is located at Titwood
on the periphery of Pollokshields. Founded in Kinning Park in 1848 by Archibald Campbell, it was formed by members of two previous clubs which played on Glasgow Green, to cater for the burgeoning residential developments south of the river Clyde. It is now the oldest surviving team sports club in Glasgow. On moving to Pollokshields, the club sold its previous grounds in Kinning Park in 1873 to a newly-founded football club called Rangers. At that time, the club also fielded a football team, Clydesdale, which came second to Queens Park in the first Scottish Cup final in 1874, after many associated with the club had been instrumental in the foundation of the Scottish Football Association.
, Pollokshields East railway station
and Pollokshields West railway station
, all on the Cathcart Circle Line. Crossmyloof railway station
on the Glasgow South Western Line
and Dumbreck railway station
on the Paisley Canal Line
sit just outside the district's bounds. Closed railway stations include Pollokshields railway station
and Strathbungo railway station
.
Pollokshields is also served by Shields Road subway station
on the Glasgow Subway
, located in a non-residential area in the extreme north of the district, and by numerous bus routes.
Pollokshield's location offers easy access to the M77
, M8 and, upon completion, M74
motorways.
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...
. It is a conservation area which was developed in Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
times according to a plan promoted by the original landowners, the Stirling-Maxwells
Stirling-Maxwell Baronets
The Maxwell, later Stirling-Maxwell Baronetcy, of Pollock in the County of Renfrew, is a title in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia. It was created on 12 April 1682 for John Maxwell, with remainder to the heirs of the body. In 1707 he was given a new patent extending the remainder to heirs of entail in...
of Pollok
Pollok
Pollok is a large district on the south-western side of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It was built to house families from the overcrowded inner city...
, whose association with the area goes as far back as 1270.
History
Pollokshields was established by the Stirling-MaxwellJohn Maxwell Stirling-Maxwell
Sir John Maxwell Stirling-Maxwell, 10th Baronet, of Pollok, KT was a Scottish Tory politician and philanthropist.The eldest son of Sir William Stirling-Maxwell, 9th Baronet and Lady Anna Maria Leslie-Melville, second daughter of David Leslie-Melville, 8th Earl of Leven and Elizabeth Anne Campbell,...
family in 1849, and was set out or 'feued' by the Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
architect David Rhind
David Rhind
David Rhind was a Scottish architect, born in Edinburgh in 1808 to parents John Rhind and his wife Marion Anderson. David Rhind was married twice, to Emily Shoubridge in 1840, then Mary Jane Sackville-Pearson in 1845...
. Many well-known Glaswegian architects contributed to its development and, amongst others, it contains villas by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson
Alexander Thomson
Alexander "Greek" Thomson was an eminent Scottish architect and architectural theorist who was a pioneer in sustainable building. Although his work was published in the architectural press of his day, it was little appreciated outwith Glasgow during his lifetime...
. There are several contributions by contemporaries of 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...
including a series of good 'Glasgow style' tenements by the architect H. E. Clifford, who was also responsible for the 'A' listed Pollokshields Burgh Hall
Pollokshields Burgh Hall
The Pollokshields Burgh Hall stands at the edge of Maxwell Park, Glasgow, Scotland. Designed by Henry Edward Clifford and constructed in 17th-century Scottish Renaissance style, this was opened in 1890 by Sir John Stirling Maxwell as a Masonic Meeting Place and for the use of the community but...
, in Scottish Baronial style which was inaugurated in 1890, with Maxwell Park. The ground for Maxwell Park was given by Sir John Stirling-Maxwell of Nether Pollok in 1888, and the park was formally opened at the same time. Such was its early population growth Pollokshields attained 'burgh' status in 1876. However, this ended in 1891 when after being offered favourable tax terms the residents of the burgh agreed to it becoming a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of the growing city of Glasgow. The Victorian and Edwardian architecture and the parks of this area have remained almost untouched, leaving the feeling of a leafy Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
suburb, while being well within the city.
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i, as well as Indian
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
origin. The area's commercial eastern side is home to a large number of South Asian shops (fruit, meat and clothes shops) attracting shoppers from all over Scotland.
Albert Drive is the location of the two Eid
Muslim holidays
There are two main holidays in Islam, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. The way that holidays are recognized can vary across cultures, as well as across sects of Islam, Sunni and Shia. Muslim holidays generally follow the lunar calendar, and thus move each year relative to the solar calendar. The...
celebrations when the Muslim community of Glasgow congregate to commemorate the end of the holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
.
Burgh Hall
Pollokshields Burgh HallPollokshields Burgh Hall
The Pollokshields Burgh Hall stands at the edge of Maxwell Park, Glasgow, Scotland. Designed by Henry Edward Clifford and constructed in 17th-century Scottish Renaissance style, this was opened in 1890 by Sir John Stirling Maxwell as a Masonic Meeting Place and for the use of the community but...
was designed by H. E. Clifford during the Scottish Renaissance
Scottish Renaissance
The Scottish Renaissance was a mainly literary movement of the early to mid 20th century that can be seen as the Scottish version of modernism. It is sometimes referred to as the Scottish literary renaissance, although its influence went beyond literature into music, visual arts, and politics...
in the late 19th Century and is currently listed as a significant building of Pollokshields. Built in Ballochmyle Red Freestone it was opened in 1890 by Sir John Stirling Maxwell whose coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
is depicted in the entrance porch in the stone of the Hall and is recorded in marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
in the floor. To the outside of the building there is very high tower, housing a turret stair and balcony. Throughout the building there are detailed stained glass windows, brought from the town of Pollokshields. The lodge house
Lodging
Lodging is a type of residential accommodation. People who travel and stay away from home for more than a day need lodging for sleep, rest, safety, shelter from cold temperatures or rain, storage of luggage and access to common household functions.Lodgings may be self catering in which case no...
adjacent comprises two flat
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
s; the Sanitary Inspector
Janitor
A janitor or custodian is a professional who takes care of buildings, such as hospitals and schools. Janitors are responsible primarily for cleaning, and often some maintenance and security...
and the Park Gardener
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
used these facilities as living accommodation and they are currently privately let by the Burgh Hall trust. In 1891 the Burgh Hall passed into the hands of Glasgow Council when the city extended its boundaries. In 1938 the back of the building was enlarged; however this meant that the last gallery in the spacious hall had to be sacrificed in order to permit the building of an extension.
By 1975 it was being used by the Social Work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
Department of Strathclyde Regional Council as an occupational day centre
Community centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
. In 1982 a decision was taken to sell it on the open market. This proved controversial—the residents of Pollokshields protested due to its connection to the heritage of the town and the historical significance to the area. Further protests ensued so a charitable trust was formed to ensure that the building would continue to be publicly owned
Publicly owned
Publicly owned can refer to:*Community ownership or state ownership*Public company, a company which is permitted to offer its securities for sale to the general public, typically through a stock exchange...
. The Trust acquired the building for £1 in 1986. Only in 1991 was the title transferred with the condition that the derelict lodge house be restored within five years. Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
supported the heritage campaign as well as other organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
, Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Development Agency and the local community and so the lodge house and the ground floor of ther Hall were completely refurbished and reopened around 1997. The lower ground floor has since attracted further funding and what was once little more than cellar space has been converted to a contemporary conference room, which can be directly accessed from the outside.
Education
There are four primary schools in the area and four secondary schools in and around Pollokshields.Pollokshields Primary Junior and Senior schools is one school split into two buildings on different streets for different age groups; Glendale Primary located on the south edge of Polloksheilds; St. Albert's Primary to the west; and the private Craigholme School for Girls
Craigholme School
Craigholme School is an independent all-girls school situated in the Pollokshields area of the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:The school was founded in 1894 by Mrs Jessie Murdoch as Pollokshields Ladies' School. The school had forty pupils on the roll and was housed at 63 Dalziel Drive in...
on Nithsdale Road.
The four secondary schools in the vicinity are Bellahouston Academy
Bellahouston Academy
Bellahouston Academy is a non-denominational state-run secondary school in Bellahouston, south-west Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Bellahouston Academy first opened in 1876 as a private school, run by Alexander Sim. It was taken over by the Govan School Board in 1885, and has been a state school ever...
(located on the western edge of Pollokshields near just south of Ibrox stadium and Paisley Road West) Shawlands Academy
Shawlands Academy
Shawlands Academy is a non-denominational secondary school on the southside of Glasgow, Scotland.-Admissions:It has a roll of approximately 1,250 pupils and 90 teachers...
(inside the Shawlands area approximately a mile south of Pollokshields), Craigholme School Secondary on St Andrews Drive (an extension of the nursery and primary schools), and Hutchesons Grammar School, a private secondary school on Beaton Road.
Demographics
Pollokshields has a total population of 21,299Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
(49.6% female and 50.4% male) as of 2008.
41.3% of the total population are below the age of 30. The largest group is the thirty to forty
Middle age
Middle age is the period of age beyond young adulthood but before the onset of old age. Various attempts have been made to define this age, which is around the third quarter of the average life span of human beings....
year olds numbering at 5,485. The elderly population is 3,086 accounting for 14.5% of all citizens.
Media
There are various forms of local media in Pollokshields. Radio stations such as Awaz FM have been created. This is an Asian community radio station which broadcasts on 107.2FM across Pollokshields and the greater Glasgow area and is based in Darnley Road. Radio Ramadan is another station broadcasting at the beginning of the religious months of RamadanRamadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
when Eid
Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr , often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting . Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast"...
is about to commence. It currently has a broadcasting frequency of 88-89FM, although throughout recent years it has remained at a constant 87.7FM.
Newspapers include The Glaswegian a free paper covering the greater Glasgow area, The Extra which is another local free paper covering Glasgow South and Eastwood and based in Pollokshields. Eastern Eye Scotland, is another tabloid relating news of Asian showbiz businesses, such as Bollywood.
The 2004 film Ae Fond Kiss...
Ae Fond Kiss...
Ae Fond Kiss... is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Ken Loach, and starring Atta Yaqub and Eva Birthistle. The title is taken from a Scottish song by Robert Burns, the complete line being "Ae fond kiss, and then we sever..."-Plot:Casim Khan is a Glaswegian DJ of Pakistani origin...
, directed by Ken Loach
Ken Loach
Kenneth "Ken" Loach is a Palme D'Or winning English film and television director.He is known for his naturalistic, social realist directing style and for his socialist beliefs, which are evident in his film treatment of social issues such as homelessness , labour rights and child abuse at the...
, was filmed in Pollokshields. This is the story of a second-generation Asian man, who falls in love with a white girl.
Pollokshields has also been mentioned on the Scottish band 1990s
1990s
File:1990s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: The Hubble Space Telescope floats in space after it was taken up in 1990; American F-16s and F-15s fly over burning oil fields and the USA Lexie in Operation Desert Storm, also known as the 1991 Gulf War; The signing of the Oslo Accords on...
debut album Cookies they live in the area.
Architecture
There are many religious buildings in the Pollokshields area, the most common of which are Mosques and Churches. Currently there are three Mosques, three Churches and one GurdwaraGurdwara
A Gurdwara , meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib ....
.
Masjid Noor is situated on Forth Street in Pollokshields, and is used by all Muslims in the area. It is the principal Mosque for Friday Prayers. Madrasah Zia-Ul-Quaran is the second of three mosques located in Pollokshields. This mosque is relatively small compared to other mosques around the area. Zia-Ul-Quran has expanded in recent years but still maintains its traditional size. Madrasah Taleem-Ul-Islam is the third in the area. It is situated on Nithsdale Road and is split into two buildings, one of which is used mainly for Islamic classes after school, while the other is used by local Muslims to pray their Salah Prayers. There is currently in the area only one Gurdwara
Gurdwara
A Gurdwara , meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib ....
, situated near Madrasah Taleem-Ul-Islam.
The Church of St Albert the Great in Pollokshields was originally built for a congregation of the United Presbyterian Church
United Presbyterian Church
United Presbyterian Church was the name of multiple Christian denominations in the world, among which are the following:*The United Presbyterian Church of Scotland , a union of the United Secession Church and the Relief Church which joined the Free Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church...
. The Italian Renaissance design by John.B.Wilson was also used in another building, Stockwell Free Church
Free Church
The proper noun Free Church may refer to:Europe-wide:* Evangelical Lutheran Free Churchin Germany:* Evangelical Lutheran Free Church * Independent Evangelical-Lutheran Churchin Iceland:*Reykjavík Free Churchin Norway:...
, in 1887. St Albert's original title was Albert Road Church, being named after Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert
Prince Albert
Prince Albert was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria.Prince Albert may also refer to:-Royalty:*Prince Albert Edward or Edward VII of the United Kingdom , son of Albert and Victoria...
, rather than the German saint of the same name who is the current patron. The Archdiocese of Glasgow acquired the church in 1965 for the new parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
and with very minimal interference to the original interior or exterior design, it was brought back into use as a church in 1967. The cream sandstone facade has a very attractive octagonal vestibule and tall bell tower. St Ninian's church is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
located on the corner of Albert Drive and Pollokshaws road.
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
was built as Pollokshields Established Church by Robert Baldie in 1877-1878. The architecture is mixed Gothic with an early English tower with tabernacles above the broaches of the spire at the southwest comer of the building. The tower has a clock face on each of its four sides. The south (entrance) front has a large geometrical window above a row of trefoil headed windows with stiff leaf capitals. The side aisles have twin lancet windows beneath the clerestory of triple lancet windows to the main church. The interior has aisle arcades
Arcade (architecture)
An arcade is a succession of arches, each counterthrusting the next, supported by columns or piers or a covered walk enclosed by a line of such arches on one or both sides. In warmer or wet climates, exterior arcades provide shelter for pedestrians....
formed by polished granite columns on high octagonal sandstone bases with French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
capitals supporting pointed arches beneath the clerestory
Clerestory
Clerestory is an architectural term that historically denoted an upper level of a Roman basilica or of the nave of a Romanesque or Gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. In modern usage, clerestory refers to any high windows...
windows and the high scissor braced roof trusses. Each column cap is different The timber roof of the side aisles and the main trusses add to the grandeur of the interior. The south balcony is reached by a staircase from the east porch. The deep chancel was remodelled in 1912-1914 with new organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, pulpit and communion table
Communion table
A Communion table is used by many Protestant churches, particularly from Reformed, Baptist, Congregational, and non-denominational traditions, for the preparation of the Eucharist ....
.
Sherbrooke St. Gilbert's Church is another Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
congregation. The church was built in 1894 and had to be rebuilt following a serious fire in 1994. It is located on Nithsdale Road, close to Dumbreck railway station
Dumbreck railway station
Dumbreck railway station is a railway station in Dumbreck, a district of Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and lies on the Paisley Canal Line, 3 km west of Glasgow Central...
.
Darnley Street Family centre serves as a community centre; it also focuses on creating local youth clubs of which there are currently two, one meeting on Wednesdays for boys aged 8–14 years and a similar group for girls aged 8–14 years which meets on Thursdays.
Clydesdale Cricket Club is located at Titwood
Citylets Titwood
Titwood, known as Citylets Titwood during international matches for sponsorship reasons, is a cricket ground in the Pollokshields district of Glasgow, Scotland...
on the periphery of Pollokshields. Founded in Kinning Park in 1848 by Archibald Campbell, it was formed by members of two previous clubs which played on Glasgow Green, to cater for the burgeoning residential developments south of the river Clyde. It is now the oldest surviving team sports club in Glasgow. On moving to Pollokshields, the club sold its previous grounds in Kinning Park in 1873 to a newly-founded football club called Rangers. At that time, the club also fielded a football team, Clydesdale, which came second to Queens Park in the first Scottish Cup final in 1874, after many associated with the club had been instrumental in the foundation of the Scottish Football Association.
Transport
Currently there are three functioning railway stations in Pollokshields: Maxwell Park railway stationMaxwell Park railway station
Maxwell Park railway station is a railway station in Pollokshields area of Glasgow, Scotland, adjacent to the park of the same name. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is located on the Cathcart Circle Line.- History :...
, Pollokshields East railway station
Pollokshields East railway station
Pollokshields East railway station is one of two railway stations serving Pollokshields in Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and lies on the Cathcart Circle Line.- 2008 :...
and Pollokshields West railway station
Pollokshields West railway station
Pollokshields West railway station is one of two railway stations in Pollokshields, a district of Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and lies on the Cathcart Circle Line.-Up to November 1979:...
, all on the Cathcart Circle Line. Crossmyloof railway station
Crossmyloof railway station
Crossmyloof railway station is a railway station in Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is served by trains on the Glasgow South Western Line.The overline station building was removed during the late 1990s...
on the Glasgow South Western Line
Glasgow South Western Line
The Glasgow South Western Line is a mainline railway in Scotland that runs from Glasgow to Kilmarnock, and then either via Dumfries, or Stranraer via Ayr, with a branch to East Kilbride.- History :...
and Dumbreck railway station
Dumbreck railway station
Dumbreck railway station is a railway station in Dumbreck, a district of Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and lies on the Paisley Canal Line, 3 km west of Glasgow Central...
on the Paisley Canal Line
Paisley Canal Line
The Paisley Canal Railway line was originally a Glasgow and South Western Railway branch line running from Glasgow, Scotland, through three stations in Paisley, to North Johnstone...
sit just outside the district's bounds. Closed railway stations include Pollokshields railway station
Pollokshields railway station
Pollokshields railway station was a railway station in Pollokshields, a district of Glasgow, Scotland. The station was originally part of the Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway.-History:...
and Strathbungo railway station
Strathbungo railway station
Strathbungo railway station was a railway station serving the village of Strathbungo , Lanarkshire, Scotland. The station was originally part of the Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint Railway.-History:...
.
Pollokshields is also served by Shields Road subway station
Shields Road subway station
Shields Road subway station is a station of Glasgow Subway, serving the Pollokshields areas of Glasgow, Scotland. Nearby is Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Scotland Street School Museum...
on the Glasgow Subway
Glasgow Subway
The Glasgow Subway is an underground metro line in Glasgow, Scotland. Opened on 14 December 1896, it is the third-oldest underground metro system in the world after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro. Formerly a cable railway, the Subway was later electrified, but its twin circular lines...
, located in a non-residential area in the extreme north of the district, and by numerous bus routes.
Pollokshield's location offers easy access to the M77
M77 motorway
The M77 motorway is a motorway in Scotland. It originally began in southern Glasgow at the M8 motorway at Kinning park, and terminates near Kilmarnock at the village of Fenwick. However, changes were made in autumn 2005 segregating a lane on the M8 motorway almost as far as the Kingston Bridge,...
, M8 and, upon completion, M74
M74 motorway
The A74 and M74 motorways form a major motorway in Scotland. Following an extension opened on 28 June 2011, it connects the M8 motorway west of Glasgow to the English border at Gretna, creating an alternative route for traffic moving from the south to the west of the city...
motorways.