Peter MacGregor Chalmers

Peter MacGregor Chalmers LLD (14 March 1859 – 15 March 1922) was a Scottish architect specialising in country churches, and also being involved in several important restoration schemes.

Life

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The grave of Peter MacGregor Chalmers, Glasgow Necropolis

Chalmers was born on 14 March 1859, the son of George, a mechanical engineer, and his wife, Jane (née MacGregor). He was educated at Glasgow Secular School, then articled to the architect John Honeyman. He set up in private practice from 1887.[1]

From around 1900 many of his churches adopt a very distinctive circular tower.

In 1904 he was living at 6 Minard Road (now Turnberry Road) in Glasgow.[2] The property is a substantial four-bedroom tenement flat, in Glasgow's west end. His offices were in a more prestigious property at 95 Bath Street. He travelled very widely, and Glasgow University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LLD) in 1920 for his writings.

He died of a heart attack while visiting his cousin, Rev. R. H. Fisher, in Edinburgh on 15 March 1922.[3] He is buried in the lower southern section of the Glasgow Necropolis alongside the north-east path that leads to the main, upper section.

Family

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In 1905 he was married to Barbara Greig Steel (1860–1939) of Partick.

Principal works

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War memorials

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Chalmers designed several war memorials from 1919, these include: Cambuslang Parish Church; Morebattle Parish Church; Burntisland Parish Church; Kelvinside Free Church; Memorial Chapel in St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh; West Linton Parish Church; Abbey Parish Church in Kilwinning; Barony Church, Glasgow; Memorial arch in Dyke, Moray; Rosneath Church; St Salvator's College, St Andrews; Crieff; Memorial window Uphall.

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Publications

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  • Glasgow Cathedral
  • John Morro, A Scots Medieval Architect
  • St Ninians Candid Casa
  • The Govan Sarcophagus
  • Dalmeny Kirk
  • The Shrine of St Constantine
  • The Shrines of St Margaret and St Kentigern

References

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  1. ^ "Peter MacGregor Chalmers (1859-1922), architect, a biography". glasgowsculpture.com. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  2. ^ Glasgow Post Office Directory 1910–11
  3. ^ "www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=200244". scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  4. ^ Gifford, John (2003). The Buildings of Scotland: Fife (1. publ ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 186. ISBN 978-0-300-09673-6.
  5. ^ Dictionary of Scottish Architects: Robert Lorimer