St Columbkille’s Church

Loader Monteith in collaboration with landscape architect, Mark Donaldson, has revitalised the external landscape of Category-A listed St Columbkille’s Church in Rutherglen, Glasgow, transforming it into a vibrant and accessible public space. This redesign democratises access, introduces soft and hard landscaping whilst creating a convivial piazza for the local community.

Located within the Rutherglen Conservation Area, the church has been the cornerstone of the local catholic community since its establishment of the parish in 1851.

The new entrance establishes an open and inclusive public space. A gently sloping gradient ramp, integrated around curved York stone steps, offers barrier-free entry. Inspired by the church’s vast semi-circular sanctuary, the entrance echoes the fluid procession of a spiraling ramp, creating an inviting journey into the building.

The piazza’s red brick paving extends the architectural language of the church, connecting the built and natural environments. As both an arrival space and a place of congregation, the piazza fosters interaction before and after services. Integrated outdoor seating and bespoke brickwork patterns add depth and texture, evoking the character of a European civic square.

Balancing hard and soft landscaping, the design introduces new planting beds filled with ferns, grasses and trees, supporting biodiversity and attracting pollinators. Seasonal planting brings colour and texture, creating a dynamic and welcoming environment. Trees and greenery provide shade, improve air quality and soften the urban setting.

Sensitively positioned outdoor lighting improves wayfinding without compromising the church’s ambiance. Thoughtfully placed seating encourages visitors and parishioners to pause, reflect and engage with the space.

Championing this transformation, Father Bernard Mournian envisioned a more inclusive and engaging public space, realised through Loader Monteith’s sensitive approach to conservation and placemaking. This revitalisation enhances accessibility, strengthens community ties and sets a precedent for a thoughtful landscape design, ensuring St Columbkilles’s remains a welcoming place for generations to come.