SAVE ST PETER'S
BANQUET HALL
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Scotland’s finest modern building is a masterpiece lying to the west of Glasgow. But now it has been allowed to fall into ruin. The List is launching a campaign to save St Peter’s Seminary and to succeed, we need your help. Tiffany Jenkins sets the scene.
t Peter's Seminary is a unique piece ol‘ late modern architecture. set in woodland near the village of (‘ardross. hall‘ an hour west of Glasgow. For over twenty years. despite being empty and disused. this building has exerted a magical force over almost everyone who has stepped inside it. Artists. architects. writers and musicians have
been so struck by St Peter's that a series of
lilms and art works have been made in response to it. Last year the seminary was voted Scotland‘s best modern building by architects.
14 THE LIST 27 Apr-l 1 May 2006
Yet St Peter's is now derelict and. il' action is not taken quickly. it will be beyond repair. The owners. the Archdiocese of (ilasgow. have
made some attempts to lind a viable l’uture for
the building but such action has been too little. too late. Likewise. Historic Scotland. which granted the building an A-listed status in l‘)‘)2. has not acted properly to preserve its t‘abric.
In response to this dereliction of duty. a growing number of local people. mUsicians. students. artists. writers. architects and organisations such as The St Peter‘s Trust are
stepping in to try and rescue it.
Designed by lsi Met/stein and Andy MacMillan. ol the leading post-war architects. (iillespie. Kidd (V; (‘oia. St l’eter's Seminary opened in was and was widely acclaimed. It contributed towards the practice. receiving the prestigious RIBA (iold Medal in 196‘).
Despite many plaudits. St Peter‘s was vacated in W78 due to the decline in numbers of men entering the priesthood. The institution shut down and has l’allcn into serious disrepair alter several l'ailed attempts to lind a new occupier.
Since its closure. St Peters has continued to be lauded for its innovative architecture. In I‘)‘)2 it was granted category A-listed status: the highest level ol‘ protection awarded by Historic Scotland. l‘or buildings ol' international signilicance.
The List wants to help save this magnilicent place. We cannot watch the (‘atholic ('hurch and Historic Scotland treat our heritage with such disrespect. We demand high standards for the care ol' the built environment and how it is used for future generations.
St Peter‘s should be saved becatise it is an exceptional building ol‘ historical value. and because it is a creation that could inspire all those who see it and work or live in it.
We are realistic. It will be difficult to save and transform. But we are ambitious. spurred on by the knowledge that many love St Peter's. l'iew buildings of the l‘)()(ls are visited by such a stream ol‘ admirers.
Join our campaign and help us save this outstanding place and put it to good use.