Members on St Clare’s: ‘It was there for Easterhouse at its best and worst’

The grey chapel on Drumlanrig Avenue wasn’t just “four walls and mortar”, it was the place where friendships were forged and the best of times – and the worst – were shared by a community. 

It’s unexpected closure last month has rocked the East End and brought to an end another chapter in Glasgow’s history. 

READ MORE: St Clare's: Unholy row over Glasgow church axe plan

For many, it was a blow but they know they can always look back on St Clare’s with fond memories. 

Like thousands, the chapel has meant so much to Roseanna Griffin, 74, who has shared the ups and downs of life with parishioners for nearly 60 years. 

“There was always someone there you could turn to in a hard time and in a happy time,” Ms Griffin said. 

“Everyone has so many memories. 

St Clare's

“It wasn’t just bricks and mortar.

“It used to be a parish of between 3/400 but now it is around 3/400.

“There are a lot of factors for that and many of the buildings that surrounded it have come down.

“We used to have tenements in the area but they have all come down in the last ten years. 

“The population has reduced a lot which doesn’t help.

“It’s a church which has meant a lot to so many people.

“Even when people moved away, they have come back to it.

“People who moved to East Kilbride or to the other side of the city came back to St Clare’s.

“It’s always been a very happy, family-orientated place.” 

Established as a parish in 1959, the community was led by the late-Rev Edward Docherty until the chapel opened in 1965. 

In the years since, it has hosted weddings, funerals, communions, and daily masses, bringing together the Easterhouse community. 

Importantly for Ms Griffin and others, it was never a closed shop, opening its doors to non-Catholics and anyone who needed a safe space. 

It wasn’t without its troubles to seek, however, and it was previously saved from closure when the Salesians of Don Bosco arrived to boost the parish. 

The order, established to help poor children during the Industrial Revolution, provided priests for St Clare’s and breathed new life into the community. 

“For 20 years, we had the Salesians involved in the church,” Ms Griffin added.

“They really were very good to the church. About 30 years ago they tried to close the parish down, but we won that battle.

“The Salesians were only supposed to be there for around six years, but stayed a lot longer. 

“That was a great boost to us and to the church, due to the shortage of priests. 

“They helped the community an awful lot. 

“We did of work in the parish, supporting some 20-odd children in Liberia with their education.

“There was a lot of really good people and we had about 60 folk at least who looked after the church, the flowers. 

“We had so many people who all looked after the church.

“It’s a big blow to lose it.” 

She added: “It was the parish where we had many non-Catholics who came to services, came to help out in the tearoom and any of the sets as well.

“It was a very mixed community and had a good liaison with the churches in the area, including the Church of Scotland. 

“We used to have combined church services and a lot of inter-denominational things going on. That was a great thing.” 

Like Ms Griffin, Eugene Cawley’s life has also been intricately linked to St Clare’s. 

Mr Cawley, 65, said: “Our parents and grandparents built this church and for the Bishop to just close it in the way he did has really peeved us all.

“This church has been at the heart of the community for years. 

“We’ve had kids clubs, Easter parades, you name it.

“We even used to hold events in the Masonic Hall, if you can believe that! 

“It was a place for the whole community.” 

When the Glasgow Times shared news of the church’s closure last week, many people shared their sadness at the end of an era.

Christina McKelvie, an MSP, wrote on Twitter: “This is a sad story.

“My parents were married here, family weddings, communions, funerals and baptisms all come to mind. 

“St Clare’s looked after Easterhouse at its best and in its most desperate hours too.”