Strathbungo Parish Literary Association (aka Strathbungo Parish Church Literary Society)

Overview

Strathbungo is an area in the south side of Glasgow. Members of this association were most likely part of the congregation of the Strathbungo Parish Church, located at 605 Pollokshaws Road. The earlier church was replaced by a new building that was completed in 1888. (For more information on this area, see the ‘Strathbungo & Crossmyloof. Origins & History‘ and ‘Queen’s Park Churches. Illustrated Guide‘ on the ScotCities website).

This literary association of young men met on Monday evenings at 7.45pm (later changed to 8pm) from October until March in the church Session House, and later in the Church Hall. The object of the group was the ‘Moral & Intellectual improvement of its Members’. The annual subscription fee was 1s, which was very low compared to the average for other literary societies at this time (2s 6d). At the meetings, essays were read which were followed up by group discussion. During the sessions, there were also social meetings or a musical evenings.

This was only ever a small group that had about 30 members over the years, with about a dozen to two dozen present at any of the meetings. In general, it does not appear to have been well-supported as in 1886, the society was ‘considered defunct’. A new society formed in 1887, but may have wrapped up in the following year. In 1910, it seems the group was revived when six young men met to discuss a new society. Like its predecessors, this new group was also short-lived, and does not appear to have survived beyond 1912.

At a meeting held in March 1885, a proposal was made to start a society manuscript magazine. It is unknown if the magazine was ever produced.

Date of Existence

1884?-1888?

Source of Information

1. Literary society minutes (1884-88), Records of Church of Scotland synods, presbyteries and kirk sessions; Records of Glasgow, Strathbungo Kirk Session (GCA, CH2/1053/8);

2. Literary society minutes (1910-12), Records of Church of Scotland synods, presbyteries and kirk sessions; Records of Glasgow, Strathbungo Kirk Session (GCA, CH2/1053/35)

Repository

Glasgow City Archives (GCA)

Reference Number

(See Source of Information)

Additional Notes