Wellpark Mid Kirk - Greenock, UK
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 55° 56.832 W 004° 45.365
30U E 390334 N 6201595
The Renaissance style Wellpark Mid Kirk is located at 6 Cathcart Square, Greenock, Scotland, United Kingdom
Waymark Code: WM183H8
Location: Northern Scotland, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/23/2023
Views: 1
The Wellpark Mid Kirk is a two story high stone lock church designed by architect James Ewing in the Renaissance style, inspired London's St. Martin's-In-The-Fields, and built in 1761. The rectangular church has a portico entrance. The pediment above the portico is supported by four Ionic columns. A set of steps leads up to triple entrance. The portico is flanked by a pair of 4 by 6 pane windows. The second level has 5 square windows.
Rising from the hip roof is a 146' multipart steeple. The steeple has a window with a rounded top, a clock tower, an octagonal tower, a second smaller octagonal tower and an octagonal spire topped with an ornate finial. The sides of the church are five bays deep with windows at each bay on both levels.
A sign on the façade provides the history of the church and architectural details. It is inscribed:
The Church
of Scotland
WELLPARK
MID KIRK
THE FIRST CONGREGATION OF THIS CHURCH WAS
FORMED IN 1741 AND WORSHIPPED IN A NEARBY LOFT
UNTIL THIS BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN 1761.
THE DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY ST MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELDS,
LONDON. IT COMPRISSES A SQUARE HALL, GALLERIED ON
THREE SIDES, WITH ORNAMENTAL PILLARS SUPPORTING
A PAVILION ROOF WITH SWEEPING COVED CORNICE
INTERNALLY. THE STEEPLE WAS BUILT LATER IN 1787.
THE CHURCH WAS REFURBISHED IN 1878 AND A SUITE
OF HALLS ADDED IN 1936. DURING THE WAR THE
FRONTAGE WAS BADLY DAMAGED BY A BOMB WHICH
DESTROYED THE PROPERTY OPPOSITE.
ARCHITECTUALLY THE BUILDING IS LISTED
CATEGORY 'A'
IN MARCH 1996 THE CONGREGATIONS OF THE
MID KIRK AND WELLPARK WEST UNITED TO
GIVE THE CHURCH ITS PRESENT NAME.
DURING THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1997 TO JULY 2000
THE CHURCH AND ITS HALLS WERE COMPREHENSIVELY
REPAIRED AND RESTORED WITH SUBSTANTIAL
GRANT ASSISTANCE.
YOU ARE WELCOME