Our History

For history of St. Columba's go HERE

In 1843 Sinclair's Statistical Account of Scotland recorded only 3 Catholic families in the parish of Bathgate, but this was soon to be changed with the influx of Irish immigrants who had been forced to leave their native land because of poor economic conditions and were now seeking work here.  The main sources of employment were coal mining, the recent utilisation of shale in the production of paraffin oil and the construction of the Glasgow-Edinburgh railway line.

The resultant effect of the Irish infiltration was the inauguration of a Bathgate Mission which celebrated Mass in dwelling houses in Gideon Street, King Street and South Bridge Street and later in the old Masonic Hall in Jarvey Street. Priests from Linlithgow served Bathgate on a weekly basis although their only mode of transport was a pony and trap.

At this time Bathgate was a small insular place with few pretentious buildings and the original inhabitants showed much suspicion, and indeed open hostility to the Irish workers, who had come to settle in their town.  It is obvious, therefore, why one Daniel Collins, an Irish contractor engaged in the construction of the railway line, chose to remain anonymous when he purchased in 1855 the old church in Livery Street, which had previously been used by a sect of the Presbyterian Church entitled the Auld Lichts.   The great breakthrough for Bathgate Catholics came in 1856 with the appointment of their first resident Priest, Fr. Andrew Smith.  The old church was converted to accommodate approximately 600 people and was reopened in 1858 when Bathgate became a parish.

The Old Church

In the years that followed, many of the surrounding districts were supplied from the Bathgate Mission, invariably on once or twice a month basis.  There after a succession of Priests served Bathgate for short periods until the advent of Fr. Thomas O'Carroll in 1877.  This year also records the first mention of the dedication of the church to the Immaculate Conception.  Eleven years later Fr. O'Carroll was responsible for extensive renovations being done to the old church and presbytery, and as a result, on 6th December, 1888 the Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh performed the opening ceremony of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Around this time a need was felt for the establishment of a church building fund which was later initiated by Fr. Joseph Hannon who had arrived in the town in 1893.  Seven years later, his successor, Fr. Peter McDaniel started a campaign to raise funds in the hope of reaching £6000- being the estimated cost of a new church:    his congregation rose to the challenge and responded generously.

Fr. Peter McDaniel

Early 20th century saw the demolition of the old church to make way for a new one built on the same site.  Mass was celebrated in the nearby Co-operative Hall in the meantime.

The 21st May 1907 was a day of great rejoicing for Catholics in Bathgate and despite the inclement weather remains a memorable day in their history, when the Most Reverend James Andrew Smith, Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, laid the foundation stone for the new church.  Prior to the stone laying ceremony, a huge procession, led by His Grace the Archbishop in an open carriage, made its way from the railway station to Livery Street.  Bathgate Public Band preceded many clergy, 500 schoolchildren, and all the Catholic societies in the town through the gaily decorated streets thronged with people.  During the ceremony current newspapers and several other documents were encased in a container to be placed under the foundation stone.  Since it was more than 500 years since such a ceremony had occurred in the district and, of course, the first since the Reformation, it must be ranked as a most significant date in local history.

Following a year of concentrated fund raising in an attempt to reach the estimated goal of £6000, the great day finally arrived on 29th October 1908 when the magnificent new church was opened by His Grace the Archbishop.  The church, with seating capacity of 800, was completely filled with parishioners, clergy and representatives from other churches in the town during a solemn High Mass.  A reception followed in the Co-operative Hall.

The Gothic style church exceeded all expectations by its impressive architectural design and beautiful interior.  The sanctuary is a work of art which commands immediate attention due to the lining of Italian and Greek marble and the magnificent mosaic of Our Lord consisting of thousands of pieces of coloured marble with a background of pure gold, a leaf of gold having been placed between two pieces of glass.   The sanctuary floor is made from Sicilian marble and the whole design is copied from one of the Greek churches of Rome.

In 1909 Fr. McDaniel received a testimonial from the congregation in recognition of his relentless efforts and continued to work steadfastly in an effort to reduce the debt incurred.  He was succeeded in 1913 by Fr. Charles Murdoch, who reigned as parish Priest until 1919 and was responsible for the erection of the Sacred Heart Altar in the church.

The Sacred Heart Altar

The First World War took its toll of the Catholic community with a loss of 61 lives, to whose memory a granite Celtic cross was erected in front of the church in 1920 at the instigation of Fr. Patrick Green, who was parish priest from 1919 - 1924.

War Memorial

Fr. Joseph McGrail arrived as the next parish priest in 1924, a small jolly man.  He was to remain there until his sudden death in 1939.  His greatest achievement was the opening of the new Catholic Secondary School on October 30th 1931.   Canon McGrail was remembered most for his great love and ability to relate to children and it is well known that many needy young people, of any denomination, received practical help from him.  He also made a concerted attempt to reduce the church debt and organised the Grand Bazaar which was held in the Co-operative Hall from 4th - 6th April 1929 and raised a staggering £1042. 

Following Canon McGrail was Fr. Thomas Davitt who was raised to the status of Canon shortly after his arrival.  He was a man who was prepared to work tirelessly for the good of his church and people, and he possessed a natural facility for relating to the younger members of his flock.  One of his priorities was to clear the church of debt, which he achieved in a very short time due to the active response from the church members.  His great faith and understanding were often put to the test during the difficult years of World War II.

Canon Davitt

In May 1951 a function was organised in recognition of Canon Davitts Silver Jubilee as a priest.  Provost Patrick Glen presented him with a gold chalice and cheque from his parishioners.

In 1954, the Marian Year, Canon Davitt made alterations to the previous winter chapel of the church and it was adapted into the Chapel of Our Lady.  In predictable manner the people of Bathgate rose to the occasion and the Chapel was completed in early 1955.

Lady Chapel

One of Canon Davitt's most rewarding events was the opening of St. Mary's Primary School on 27th February 1958.

1958 was also the centenary of the parish and the Golden Jubilee of the new church.  Special celebrations took place and a centenary booklet was published.

This included many facts and pictures, including the one below showing the many guests who attended the celebrations

.

Although 1958 will be remembered as a happy, successful year in church history, the previous year brought great sadness to the parish by the untimely death of Fr. Nicholas Torsney, a promising young priest from Bathgate who had been ordained in 1950.

Fr. Nicholas Torsney

Canon Davitt was also involved in the opening of St. Columba's Primary School on 4th February 1967.  The Canon continued to serve as Parish Priest until his death in 1969.

He was replaced by Fr. James Walsh who initiated many changes within the church itself and the living quarters, including the removal of the high altar to be replaced by another altar table facing the congregation.  He also installed the baptistry where the Sacred Heart altar was previously installed.  Fr. Walsh retired to Ireland in 1980.

Canon Daniel Boyle was his replacement, although his stay was cut short when he died in 1984.

Fr. Lawrence Glancy (later to become Canon) was the next Parish Priest and remained until he was transferred in 1988.  He was involved in the Solemn Dedication of the Church of the Immaculate Conception By the Right Reverend James Monaghan (a native of Bathgate), and the Right Reverend Vincent Logan (Bishop of Dunkeld and also native of Bathgate).

Right Reverend James Monaghan

Father Gordon Brown replaced Fr. Glancy in 1988 for a short time until the arrival of Fr. Michael Burns in 1989.  Father Burns was instigator in the building of a new hall.  He remained in the parish until 1997.

The next appointment was that of Monsignor Alistair Lawson, a native of Bathgate.  He has overseen the building and completion of the new hall.  This new hall was required to accommodate the many groups that have been set up within the parish.