160-year-old Historic Church Completely Destroyed By Devastating Fire In Heart Of Glasgow

A historic Glasgow church has been gutted by flames, after more than 30 firefighters were called out to an early morning blaze.

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The alarm was raised at 2.40 am as the Roman Catholic Parish Church of St Simon caught fire.

Firefighters have urged nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed while properties too close to the church have been evacuated.

Dramatic pictures show the church’s roof caved in and its stained glass window completely shattered. The cause of the blaze is still not known.

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Neighbouring properties were evacuated and one person was assisted from the building and given precautionary treatment at the scene

The Archdiocese of Glasgow said it was a "sad end for a much-loved" church.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said six fire appliances were dispatched and crews were expected to remain at the site for some time.

Pictures and videos posted on social media show flames and smoke billowing from the Roman Catholic church

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One witness wrote on social media: ‘We got woken up by walkie-talkie sounds, fiancé went out and the church across the bridge has been completely destroyed in a fire within half an hour. St Simon’s was beautiful to look at.’

Another said: ‘Just completely shocking and heartbreaking. No one’s hurt, surrounding flats are okay.’

One local resident told Glasgow Live that a ‘fire came from inside and broke out through the large stained glass at the front facade’, and that the roof collapsed at around 3.30am.

They said the church tender was evacuated with no injuries from her adjoining house, which is ‘under siege from the fire’.

'Greatly missed'

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Built in 1858, St Simon's is the third oldest Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, after the metropolitan cathedral of St Andrew's and St Mary's church in the city's east end.

The church's links to Glasgow Polish community date back to World War Two.

It was used by Polish soldiers based at nearby Yorkhill Barracks. A plaque in front of the church commemorates this connection.

Weekly masses continue to be said in Polish by a priest from the chaplaincy at the Sikorski Polish Club in Glasgow.

The club said in a statement: "Extremely sad news this morning. Saint Simon's Church was at the heart of our Polish Community with Polish services every week. It will be greatly missed."

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Health Secretary Humza shared his solidarity with the Catholic community.

He said: "What a devastating couple of days for Catholics in Scotland. First, a cowardly attack on a priest in his place of worship, followed by this. I know St Simon's had a special place in the Polish community's heart. Solidarity with our Catholic community in Scotland."

Glaswegians have been taking to social media to share their memories of the church, with generations of families receiving their sacraments under its roof.

One Glasgow Live reader said: "So sad where we were married and our son was baptised there 21 years ago….so very sad for such an old building of Glasgow."

Another added: "Very sad for the community and history of the building My mum and dad both had their funeral mass here."

Credit: Glasgow Live

Actor Simon Pegg held his own wedding to Maureen McCann at the church back in 2005, with Gwyneth Paltrow among the guests.

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

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the congregation of St Simon’s. Denominations are meaningless at times such as this and we will offer whatever support we can to help in their recovery from this tragic event.”