The local Catholic parish was founded in 1948, with the congregation meeting in the local Miners’ Welfare Hall, led by their Irish parish pries Fr Michael Dooley, who worked tirelessly to raise sufficient funds to build a small church for his growing flock.

The foundation stone was laid on 23 April 1951 and the church was completed and formally dedicated on 7th September 1952. The opening service was attended by the Archbishop of Glasgow, the Bishops of Motherwell and Paisley and 80 priests from across Scotland. Fr Dooley, who was also celebrating his silver anniversary in the priesthood, received a note of congratulations on his milestone and the opening of the church from the Irish Taoiseach Éamon de Valera.

Designed by architect Alexander Ritchie Conlon, with input from his noted architectural partner Reginald Fairlie, the church cost around £10,000 to build. Traditional in style, with harled walls and a steep slate roof, when it opened it could comfortably seat 420 worshippers. The main roof is supported by twelve piers, that Conlon remarked were inspired by the twelve Apostles, and there are three arches at the east end, designed to accommodate the chancel, Lady Chapel and sacristy. The original high altar was designed in simple form, with an antependium, so that it could be seen by everyone in the church.

The building has undergone several interior renovations since, to accommodate subsequent liturgical changes, with new church furnishings designed by J McNally and made by a local craftspeople. The west wall is dominated by the large striking stained glass window, depicting the “Bread of Life” and designed and installed by artist Shona McInnes in 1985.