St Francis, in the Gorbals!

This is an extremely important church in the history of Glasgow's Gorbals. 

The Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans) were a powerhouse in the area at the turn of the 18th and 19th century with the influx of the Irish catholics into Glasgow at that time. 

The friars were a well kent sight in the area as they worked around the friary dressed in the brown habit of St Francis, and with their discalced feet. 

I remember being told of folk flocking to the church like a football crowd for the Franciscans famous annual novena. Indeed I remember folk from Coatbridge, Airdrie and farther afield would travel to the church nightly for nine nights in a row I think. I remember my granny going.

Fast forward to today and it's a community centre :( However I believe it is well used and still a central hub of the community. This is nice as it carries on the work the friars did in creating a real sense of community in the area.

Weather: cloud; 11 degrees c; light jacket; nice mild day