Bellahouston 4.46

Bellahouston is a district in the southwest of the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is bordered by Dumbreck, Ibrox, Pollokshields, Craigton and Mosspark.HistoryBellahouston Estate in the parish of Govan was purchased in 1726 by James Rowan of Marylands and his family resided there until 1824. Upon the death of Thomas Rowan in that year, the estate passed to a relative by marriage, one Moses Steven of Polmadie. During his lifetime he increased the size of the estate, buying land at Weariston and a house and land at Dumbreck. The whole became known as Bellahouston. Upon the death of Moses in 1871, the Estate passed to his sisters who, according to his wishes, established a trust which would dedicate the estate for 'charitable, religious and educational purposes' within greater Glasgow. The trust became operative when Elizabeth Steven died in 1892.The Empire Exhibition, Scotland 1938 was held in Bellahouston Park and attracted over 13 million people.The park has been the focal point of the visits by two popes to the city of Glasgow: On 1 June 1982 Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass attended by around 250,000 worshippers (reputedly the largest crowd ever assembled in Scotland). Twenty eight years later on 16 September 2010 Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass close to the same spot as his predecessor.