BRIDGETON WEST
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
45, Tullis Street, Bridgeton.
The majority of the congregation of
the Established Church’s Bridgeton chapel of ease “came out” and retained the
Dale Street church until being evicted in1849.
They then erected a church in John Street (later known as Tullis Street),
at what was then the western side of the village.
This was Bridgeton Free Church, which was also sometimes called Greenhead
Free Church due to its proximity to Glasgow Green.
The church was one of the few to have its own burial grounds. It became Bridgeton United Free in 1900 and when it
participated in the union of 1929 it became known as Bridgeton West Church of
Scotland to distinguish it from it progenitor which in turn became Bridgeton
East Church.
The congregation joined that of the Barrowfield Edgar Memorial Church in nearby Landressy Street in 1932 to form the Bridgeton West & Barrowfield Church and their own buildings were sold. The sanctuary was later demolished, but the church halls are presently being used by the Bridgeton District 37 Lodge of the Orange Order. The burial ground fell into dereliction in the 1970s but was rescued by the City Council and restored to provide a green space for recreation. Some of the gravestones and memorials are still found towards the surviving walls.
© 2005 Gordon Adams
