St. Mary

Introduction

Saint Mary Immaculate is the Roman Catholic church in Larkhall, within the Diocese of Motherwell.

History

A medieval church in Larkhall is mentioned in a charter of King Robert the Bruce granting lands to Walter Fitzgilbert. The medieval church was referred to as the chapel of Saint Mary of Machan. In 1861, Father John Small officiated at the first baptism and first wedding in Larkhall. In 1872 the Catholic community of Blackwood, previously served from Strathaven, was attached to the newly erected mission of Larkhall.

The mission territory comprised the villages of Blackwood, Lesmahagow, Draffan, Stonehouse, Auchenheath, Netherburn and Coalburn. Mass was said occasionally at Draffan, Lesmahagow and other places. The parish history includes the arrival of Irish, Polish, Italian and Lithuanian families in the nineteenth century. The chapel school was built and opened in 1872 to serve the Catholics of Larkhall.

It was decided to make Blackwood the centre for the district, and a church with seating for 200 was built on ground purchased from the Duke of Hamilton. The parish has a Parish Hall available for private functions, community events, regular lets and fundraising events.