The Churches of Britain and Ireland

Edinburgh: First New Town

Edinburgh New Town on Wikipedia.


Charlotte Street Baptist Chapel Rose Street. Pevsner dates it to 1908, on the site of a Georgian predecessor. NT 2482 7379. © Steve Bulman (2013). On a subsequent visit, it had become the former Charlotte Street Baptist Chapel. It's now in use as a theatre (Wikipedia article). The congregation moved to the former St. George West (re-named as Charlotte Chapel), for which see the main Edinburgh page, Western New Town section. © Steve Bulman (2022). Link (which includes a photo of the old church).

First Church of Christ, Scientist on Young Street. Curiously, in my edition of Pevsner it's listed as Second Church of Christ, Scientist. He dates it to 1952. Circa NT 2484 7397. © Steve Bulman (2023). Link.

A Free Church stood on Hill Street North Lane at NT 2506 7409. Shown on the 1895 O.S. map, it has been demolished, and this building (2018 Streetview) stands on its site. The map shows that it also had a narrow entrance from Queen Street. Its Canmore entry calls it St. Andrew's Parish Church (aka St. Luke's Free Church), and includes photos of it from both sides.

A little way south of St. Cuthbert old O.S. maps show a Mission Hall, at NT 2486 7354. Aerial views suggest that it survives (the present building retains the same footprint) - seen here (2016 Streetview).

Another Mission Hall stood on the south-west side of St. James's Square at NT 2583 7413. Shown on a 25" map of 1895, if it survives it will be the building at the left hand end of the block coming in from the right of this 2015 Streetview.

St. Andrew's and St. George's West (1782-7, as St. Andrew, CoS) on George Street. NT 2543 7409. © Steve Bulman. Recently refurbished, the interior is delightful - two views - 1, 2. Both © Steve Bulman (2015).

St. Andrew's Mission Hall shows on the 1895 O.S. map near the west end of Thistle Street east of Hanover Street, at NT 2537 7415. I think it will have been what is today the white and blue painted building seen in a Streetview from 2023, but if not it will have been one of the neighbouring buildings.

St. Cuthbert, in West Princes Street Gardens. NT 2484 7361. © Steve Bulman. Another view, with St. John's Episcopal in the background. © Bill Henderson.

The former St. George (1811-14) on Charlotte Square. It was re-modelled to serve as West Register House in 1964-70. Two more views - 1, 2, NT 2460 7382. All © Steve Bulman (2013 and 2022). Grade A listed.

St. John (Episcopal) in West Princes Street Gardens. NT 2476 7366. © Steve Bulman. Another view. © Bill Henderson. Interior view. © Aidan McRae Thomson.

St. Luke used to stand on the south side of Young Street at NT 2484 7397. Pre-dating a map of 1851, it has long been demolished (Canmore says 1971, built 1836), Its Canmore entry includes a photo of the rear of the church, which faced onto Young Street South Lane. The church and adjacent buildings were demolished and an office block built on the site. In this photo, the office block is the stretch of yellowish stone buildings just past the pub - St. Luke was towards (or at) the far end of the block). © Steve Bulman (2024).

St. Mary's Cathedral (R.C.) on Broughton Street. NT 2594 7432. © Steve Bulman. Another view, and an information board, which gives a little history, both © Janet Gimber (2012). Link.

St. Paul & St. George (Episcopal) on York Place. NT 2589 7439. © Steve Bulman. Another view, © Janet Gimber (2012). Another view, © Steve Bulman (2015). What to say about the interior? My edition of The Buildings of Scotland - Edinburgh, of the 1984 vintage, is very complementary of it. What a pity that so little of it can be seen now. When were these alterations made, and who allowed it? A huge bank of cinema-like seating has been added, obscuring the West end. Across the choir is a huge screen (which may have been retractable, but was in place when I was there) which blocks any view of the East end from the nave. The East end is seen here from directly below the screen. I appreciate that churches need to continually evolve to meet the needs of the local community, but was this really the best that could be done? Both © Steve Bulman (2015). Link. Grade A listed.

 

 

 

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18 April 2024

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