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Scottish Catholic church 'reduced to a charred shell' by fire

by Cara Bentley
St Simon's church Glasgow fire Credit Amy Iona Twitter.jpg thumb.jpg - Banner image

The church where Simon Pegg got married and the 'spiritual home to Glasgow's Polish community' has been destroyed by a fire. 

St Simon's Catholic Church in Partick in the Archdiocese of Glasgow has suffered extensive damage, with the roof, interior and upper walls completely gone. 

Dozens of people were evacuated from homes nearby but no one was hurt from the fire in the early hours of Wednesday 28th July. 

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow said: "The destruction of St Simon’s church by fire will be a blow to people far beyond the west end of Glasgow. Though small in size, St Simon’s was well-frequented and was the spiritual home of the Polish community in the west of Scotland who had established a shrine there.

"It was also a focal point for the local community, and especially the homeless who benefited from a café on site which had to be suspended during the pandemic.

"The church of St Simon’s is linked to the larger parish of St Peter’s in Partick and worshippers will be accommodated there.

"The cause of the blaze is not immediately apparent, but we will work with the Fire Service as they investigate the site. Structural engineers are on site to advise on the necessary measures to make the remains of the building safe."

 

St Simon's was a B listed church built in 1858. After temporary closure due to lockdown restrictions it has been operating in recent weeks with daily services, and Masses for the Polish community on Sundays.

Catholic SNP MP Carol Monaghan wrote on Twitter: "I am absolutely devastated to hear that my parish church of St Simon’s in Partick has been destroyed in a fire. 

Those who have visited St Simon’s will know what a special place this was and will understand how devastating this loss is for the Catholic community in Partick.

 

 

 

 

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