News of major Catholic church closures across Glasgow has spread concern for St Mary’s in Calton. The church hall is where the first meeting to form Celtic was held. The club has held a connection to the church and hall since 1887 when the idea to form a football club officially started.
The origins are tied to the charitable mission associated with Brother Walfrid who realised something had to be done to help the impoverished Irish community in Glasgow’s east end.
Supporters will be hoping the Church is not selected for closure given the fact it symbolises a major role in the formation of the club. It is unclear what will happen to the iconic building should the Catholic Church indeed choose to close St Mary’s. So far, the diocese has announced that churches in the city will be joined together before half of them eventually close.
Maybe there is an opportunity for Celtic to preserve the legacy of the club’s origins if it is selected for closure? Could the club consider a move to purchase the building? We are unsure at this stage whether St Mary’s will be chosen to close. Hopefully it remains open longer term.
Fans will certainly hope it survives to keep this piece of the club’s history in tact moving forward. The church stands as a symbol of the city’s hardship and the poverty experienced by those of Irish Heritage in the East End.
We’ll have to wait for further details on whether it is selected for closure in 2027 or beyond. For many, St Mary’s represents a tangible link to the foundation of Celtic Football Club and a lost community of yesteryear.
