Saint Michael's Church, Linlithgow

Introduction

Designed by Peter Paul Pugin of Pugin and Pugin, the Gothic Revival church was officially dedicated in 1893.

History

The first priest in charge, Rev Francis McKerrell, served from 1851-1853, his mission including Bo’ness and Bathgate. The mission was first dedicated to St Joseph, changed to St Michael in 1887. In 1876 the Baird Hall was bought for the mission, the new chapel seating 250 people.

The foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop on 14th June 1887. Mass was first celebrated in the partially completed building on Saint Valentine’s day 1888. The Archbishop celebrated a Pontifical High Mass in June 1894. In 1946 the church celebrated the consecration of the high altar.

Music and liturgy

The parish is seeking a volunteer organist after the loss of its main organist and choir director in January 2026. The choir practises on Tuesday evenings in the church for an hour about three times a month. The choir has no auditions and welcomes all adult voices, especially sopranos. The choir aims to blend with the congregation rather than dominate.

The choir provides audio tracks for different voices for home listening. The choir's normal commitment is three Tuesday practices and one Sunday Mass per month, with a long break over the summer. The parish has cantors who receive microphone training, advice, audio recordings, and practice with organ accompaniment.

Parish life

The parish's Alive Pro-life group gathers most Fridays to say the Rosary in the church. The parish welcomes members of other Christian Faiths, non-Christian Faiths, and people of no religious faith.

St Joseph's school was originally dedicated to Saint Joseph. St Joseph's school was not part of the State School System until the Education Act of 1918. The parish has a Laetare International Youth Centre, opened in 1942.