Will be open for every Buddie
Invitation to drop in to Paisley’s most iconic buildings
Everyone is invited in along to the ever-popular Renfrewshire Doors Open Days.
This year’s event, which sees people invited into buildings that are not often open to the public, will take place over the weekend of September 8 and 9.
On the list will be some old favourites such as Paisley’s Russell Institute, Lapwing Lodge and Anchor Mill.
Also on the agenda is the hidden gem that is the Church of the Nazarene in Gordon Street.
Not well known even among Paisley people, the St Matthew’s building is generally agreed to be one of the finest – if not the finest – Art Nouveau churches in the world.
Its story dates back to 1903 when the then congregation of St George’s Free Church decided to build a new place of worship.
A site at the corner of Gordon’s Lane and Orchard Place was acquired for £ 3,000 and old weavers’ cottages were demolished to make way for the new building.
Paisley’s own William Daniel McLennan, who was a young architect and a member of the congregation at the time, was commissioned to take on the work. The building cost £9,000. The architect’s brief was to design a church in the Gothic Cathedral Style, to seat 800 and with halls to accommodate 450.
However, McLennan’s great achievement was to blend the Gothic with his own Art Nouveau style.
His extraordinary achievement was commented on by Dr Frank Walker, author and university lecturer.
He described its as “the most significant Art Nouveau church in Europe.”
St Matthew’s is a category A-listed building.
Last year, thousands of explorers were handed the keys to some of Renfrewshire’s most historic sights and locations.
Doors Open Day is part of a worldwide event – with more than 50 countries taking part – that celebrates the fantastic design and architectural history of the area.
Visitors to Paisley were given the opportunity to spot some of the unique features of the town, including the Paisley Abbey’s gargoyles and the Porridge Bowl roof of the John Neilson Institute.
To find out more about Doors Open Days visit www. renfrewshireleisure.com