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Designed by Peter Paul Pugin, of the distinguished Victorian firm of architects Pugin and Pugin, the present day building is in the Gothic Revival style. Officially dedicated in 1893, such was the fervor of the then Roman Catholic (R.C.) population of Linlithgow for a permanent place of worship that Mass was first celebrated in the partially completed building on St. Valentine's day 1888. Although the building and the parish community it represents are now only 108 years old St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church Linlithgow has a long and chequered history.
In the late 19th century the many Irish workers attracted to Linlithgow by the promise of jobs in the area's expanding oil shale industry wanted a permanent place to worship. As a result of their petition to the Archdiocese of St. Andrews and Edinburgh the first resident priest for around 300 years was appointed. Father Andrew Smith quickly took up their cause and gained permission for Mass to be celebrated on Sundays in the premises of Spence's Tannery located in one of the riggs off the High Street. Soon more suitable premises were found but the Baird Hall, although welcome, was not what the new parishioners wanted for their regular place of worship. Acutely aware of the high cost of building a new church and of how little they could spare from their small incomes they were nonetheless actively engaged in saving for their own premises when their prayers were heard and answered. The appointment of Fr John M. Murphy was very fortuitous indeed since he had trained as a stonemason before being called to the priesthood. A good pastor he quickly associated himself with the needs of his parishioners and "…advertised in the 'Glasgow Observer' that he intended holding a grand bazaar, 'to raise funds for the erection of a church dedicated to Queen Mary'." Less than one year after his arrival and with the willing help of the young men of the parish he set about building the church himself. The foundation stone was laid by the Archbishop in 1887. (Indeed, lodged in the archives is the ceremonial trowel beautifully inscribed - "Presented to His Grace Archbishop Smith by the Members of the Catholic Congregation, Linlithgow on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Mary Queen of Scots Memorial Church. 14th June 1887".) It would appear from reports in the local paper that it was on this occasion that the decision was taken to change the name of the parish from St. Joseph's to St. Michael's and to dedicate the church to St. Michael though still in memory of Mary Queen of Scots, the only church in Scotland so Dedicated.The enthusiasm of the workers and the determination of the parishioners to have their own place of worship can be gauged by the fact that it was just a few short months later that the building was officially opened. Meanwhile the unfinished parts were bricked up and left until such times as sufficient funds were available. Nothing breeds success like success and filled with enthusiasm at the result of their endeavors and increasingly aware of the needs of their children the congregation capitalised on the spirit of cooperation and community and set out to build a school. Located on a site next to the church St. Joseph's school was opened on July 1st 1889 and served the children of the parish until 1964 when new premises were occupied at Preston Road. Although during this time Fr Easson had replaced Fr Murphy as parish priest there was no change of emphasis and all the parish energies were engaged in the effort to complete the church building programme. Plans to double the size of the church were submitted and it is worth noting that the cost of this enlargement was the princely sum of £1,100. The hopes and dreams of parishioners came to fruition when the Archbishop celebrated a Pontifical High Mass in June 1894.
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