Mossend

[4] Coal mining is the reason why the town began to expand, and the arrival of Iron and Steel working industry and the attendant railway put Mossend on the map.

Steel production using the open hearth process began in Mossend in 1880 and expanded in following years.

The foundation stone was laid on 7 October 1906 by Archbishop Maguire and the three storey, red sandstone building was formally dedicated and opened on Sunday 27 January 1907.

Mossend Primary School in Calder Road was opened in the later part of 1880 as a single-storey building.

During the rebuild, the pupils were taught on a part-time basis in the canteen of the former projectile works at Mossend Cross.

In May 1926 the school was practically ready for occupation and was formally opened by HM Inspector William Robb.

The first church building - a chapel school - was completed in 1868 and could seat up to 500 parishioners, a chapel-house was soon added in 1872 and a large addition to the chapel-school in 1883.