Glasgow Catholic Church Plans 24 Church Closures

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow has announced plans to close around 24 churches and reduce the number of its parishes by half, citing declining Mass attendance and a shortage of priests.

The proposed changes, announced by Archbishop William Nolan on 7 October 2026, would reduce the archdiocese to approximately 40 parishes. The restructuring is expected to take place gradually over the next five to ten years, affecting communities across Glasgow and parts of Dunbartonshire.

The announcement reflects growing pressure on the archdiocese as fewer people attend Mass and the number of serving priests continues to fall. Archbishop Nolan said the number of active priests had declined by a third during his time in office, which has been less than five years. He added that only one priest in the archdiocese is under 45, while most are over 60.

Weekly Mass attendance across the archdiocese had also fallen below 23,000 by 2025, according to reports. These developments have made it increasingly difficult to maintain the existing number of parishes and church buildings.

Under the proposals, several parishes will be combined, with some communities eventually sharing fewer church buildings. The changes will affect areas across Glasgow, including the south, west, east and north of the city, as well as East and West Dunbartonshire.

In the Vale of Leven, for example, St Kessog’s in Balloch, St Martin’s in Renton, and Our Lady and St Mark’s in Alexandria are expected to be reduced to one church over the next five to ten years. In Glasgow’s West End, St Peter’s in Partick, which includes the Glasgow University chaplaincy, is expected to merge with Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Broomhill, with one church building eventually remaining.

The archdiocese has indicated that the changes will be introduced gradually rather than implemented all at once. Local parish structures will therefore evolve over several years as the restructuring progresses.

Archbishop Nolan acknowledged that the planned Glasgow Catholic church closures would be difficult for parishioners, particularly those with longstanding connections to their local churches. He recognised that church buildings hold personal and spiritual significance for many people, serving as places of worship, fellowship and important family milestones.

However, he argued that the archdiocese must respond to its current circumstances and ensure that its resources reflect the number of worshippers and available clergy. He compared the process to pruning a vine to encourage healthy growth, explaining that changes are necessary to help the Church remain sustainable and prepare for the future.

The proposed closures raise wider questions about the future of Catholic communities in Scotland. For many people, a parish is more than a building where Mass is celebrated. It is a place where families gather, children receive religious instruction, and individuals find spiritual guidance and community support.

While merging parishes may help the archdiocese manage its resources and available clergy, the changes could also mean longer journeys to worship for some Catholics and the loss of familiar community spaces. The restructuring highlights the importance of supporting vocations to the priesthood and finding sustainable ways to maintain pastoral care across the region.

As the Archdiocese of Glasgow prepares to implement the proposals, parishioners face a period of adjustment. The challenge will be to manage the changes while preserving Christian fellowship, maintaining access to worship and ensuring that Catholic communities continue to receive spiritual and pastoral support.