Govan is an ancient settlement, once quite separate from and more important than Glasgow. It is home to some of the most important early Christian carvings in Scotland. Archaeological evidence and the heart-shaped churchyard around Govan Old Parish Church show there was a church and burial ground here as early as 600-800 AD. Numerous carved tombstones dating from 900- 1100 have been found.
Govan remained a village of thatched cottages until well into the 19th century, but with the shipbuilding came urbanisation. The early 19th century population of about 2,000 rose to 9,000 in 1864 and nearly 60,000 by the mid 1880 and the name of Govan became synonymous with shipbuilding.
Fairfield's Shipyard became the biggest shipyard in the world with a labour force of 5,000. Fairfield’s offices survived and the yard is still in use, with BVT Surface Fleet building vessels for the Royal Navy. The Pearce Institute (map reference 4) is named after William Pearce, the dynamic manager of the shipyards in the late 19th century.
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A number of Scotland's most important early Christian tombstones have been discovered in Govan and can be seen in Govan Old Parish Church.
Map Reference (1)
This building was dedicated in 1888 and is at least the fourth church to stand on this ancient site.
Map Reference (1)
Fairfield Shipyards grew to become the largest and most successful of all the Clyde yards, building warships, liners and steamers.
Map Reference (2)
Elder Park was established in 1885 by Mrs Isabella Elder as a monument to her shipbuilder husband. She wanted to give the people of Govan ‘healthful
recreation bymusic and amusement’.
Map Reference (3)
