The United Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway covers south west Scotland, taking in the counties of Wigtonshire, Kirkcudbright and Dumfriesshire (the ancient Diocese of Galloway) and of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Dunbartonshire and West Stirlingshire south of the River Forth (the ancient diocese of Glasgow).
The diocesan centre is St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow, and the Bishop is the Most Reverend Dr Idris Jones, who is also the current Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. There are more than 60 churches in the Diocese.
The Diocese's roots go back into the mists of time. The Diocese of Glasgow was founded by St Mungo (on the left hand side of the diocesan coat of arms) in the 6th century.
In fact, however, there were bishops in the area before him, such as St Kessog (died circa 520). Indeed, Tertullian leads us to believe that there were Christians in the area as early as AD 210. From St Patrick there is firm evidence of the area being Christian in the mid-fifth century. The Diocese of Galloway is just as old. It was supposedly founded in the early fifth century by St Ninian (on the right hand of the coat of arms) who supposedly died in 497.
In the 15th century the Bishopric of Glasgow was raised to the status of an Archbishopric, and there were Archbishops until 1690, the last being Archbishop John Paterson.
At that point episcopacy was abolished in the Church of Scotland and Episcopalians separated from the State church. The penal period in the 18th century, when the Episcopal Church was outlawed because of its adherence to the Stuart cause, was a low period for both dioceses: the people of Glasgow and of Galloway were often without bishops. In 1837, however, the two dioceses were united.
Today, the years of decline which marked the second half of the 20th century appear to be behind us. Numbers have stabilised, with several congregations reporting growth. Giving is increasing and there is a marked development in lay involvement in the life and running of the Diocese.
The Diocese has companion links with the Episcopal Diocese of Byumba, Rwanda, and the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky.
Diocesan office
Contact the diocesan office at:
5 St Vincent Place
Glasgow
G1 2DH
0141 2216911
More information
Links to more information about the Diocese:
- The United Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway website »
- For more information about the Diocese, and its latest news and events, please visit the Diocesan website.
- SEC Church Directory »
- List and get contact details for all churches within the diocese using our online Church Directory.
