Thomas Smith Cordiner was born in Glasgow in 1902 and studied at the Glasgow School of Architecture, qualifying in 1928. He had a busy practice at St Vincent Street and was an active member of the Architect’s Registration Council from 1955, serving on various committees. He was President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, 1961-63.
Neither as well known nor as prolific as his contemporary, Jack Coia, TS Cordiner nonetheless contributed many designs to the programme of church building energetically undertaken throughout Glasgow by Archbishop Campbell after the war, as well as schools, factories and other work, including:
- St Winning’s RC Church, Kilwinning (1937)
- Notre Dame High School, Dowanhill (1938-53)
- St Brendan’s, Knightswood (1947-49)
- St Catherine’s House, Baillieston. Conversion of 1882 building (1949-53)
- The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Springburn (1950-52
- )Our Lady of Fatima, Bridgeton (1951-57)
- Lourdes Secondary School, Kirriemuir Ave (1953-56)
- Our Lady of the Assumption, Ruchill (1954)
- St Mirin’s Primary School, King’s Park (1954-56)
- St Jude, Barlanark (1955)
- St Gabriel, Cathcart (1955-57)
- St Brigid, King’s Park (1955-58
- )Kingsridge Secondary School, Maryhill (1956
- )Convent of the Good Shepherd, Bishopton (1955-56)
- Immaculate Conception, Maryhill (1956-57)
- St Margaret Mary, Castlemilk (1957-59)
- Our Lady and St George (1957-60)
- Christ the King, King’s Park (1960-62)
- St Barnabus, Shettleston (1961-64)
- Linn Crematorium, Lainshaw Drive (1962)
Thomas Cordiner died in 1965 and was laid to rest at Linn Crematorium, which he himself had designed in 1962. He left a wife and two sons.