Glasgow, Govan, Manse Lane, Old Buildings

In the 1790s, just prior to the building of the new school, a new manse with a court of offices was built to the east of the church, apparently on the site of its predecessor and possibly incorporating elements of the earlier fabric (fig 4.27; Brotchie 1905, 159–62; Leishman 1923, 9–10; MacFarlane 1965, 81; Pollock 1973, 367; Sillars 1924; Young 1899, 97; see Chapter 3). The new manse was occupied until 1858, when encroaching industrialisation encouraged a removal to Paisley Road West (Leishman 1921, 178–80; MacFarlane 1965, 81; Young 1899, 97 n.1). The building was then let in single rooms until demolition, to be replaced by tenements. The site was eventually colonised by the shipyards, and excavations have suggested that it was heavily truncated and levelled at that time (Driscoll and Will 1996, 13–15; Driscoll, Will and Shearer 2008). The manse is thought to have been constructed on a slight knoll, and most traces of it may have been removed, although there may be pockets of archaeological survival remaining (see Chapter 3).

Information from ‘The Scottish Burgh Survey, Historic Govan: Archaeology and Development’ (2009).