The Barony of Glasgow, a window onto church and people in nineteenth century Scotland

The Barony Parish was one of the most important parishes in nineteenth century Scotland since it covered almost one third of the second city of the Empire . The Parish encompassed middle class suburbs to the then West End of Glasgow, the commercial heart of the city, industrial areas around Port Dundas and working class slums in the East End. The Barony Parish Church was located in the centre of the Parish next to Glasgow Cathedral and by the 1880s claimed the largest Presbyterian congregation in Glasgow. The analysis of the parish congregation moves beyond social class to examine patterns of adherence relating to gender, family ties, households and the links between employer and employee. The picture so revealed is of a complex pattern often cutting across other commitments. The discussion moves beyond the Barony Parish Church to examine similar features of religious adherence in churches and denominations across Scotland. This builds the first national profile of church and people in nineteenth century Scotland. This book will be of interest to those with a general interest in Scotland's history; teachers, lectures and students wanting an insight into the religious and social history of nineteenth century Scotland as well as those with a more specific interest in Glasgow's past.