Augustine United Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Augustine United Church |
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| 55°56′51.3″N 3°11′29″W / 55.947583°N 3.19139°W | |
| Denomination | United Reformed Church |
| Churchmanship | Reformed |
| Website | Augustine United Church |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Category B |
| Designated | 14 December 1970 |
| Architect(s) | J, JM & WH Hay of Liverpool |
| Style | Freestyle |
| Groundbreaking | 1857 |
| Completed | 1861 |
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Listed Building – Category B
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| Official name | George IV Bridge and 11A and 11C Merchant Street, Augustine United Free Church (United Reformed Church) |
| Designated | 14 December 1970 |
| Reference no. | LB26707 |
| Administration | |
| Synod | Scotland |
Augustine United Church is a special church building in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is part of the United Reformed Church family. This church also works closely with other churches. These include St Columba's-by-the-Castle and Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland Kirk. This teamwork is called a local ecumenical partnership.
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History of Augustine Church
The church's story began in 1802 in the Old Town area of Edinburgh. The first group of worshippers met in a chapel on Chambers Street. As more people joined, the chapel became too small. In 1855, it was taken down to make space for the National Museum of Scotland.
Building the New Church
The current church building was started in 1857. It was finished in 1861. You can find it at 41 George IV Bridge. The building has a unique look. It mixes styles like Romanesque, Renaissance, and Classical. It also has a tall, three-tiered tower.
In 1970, the building was given a special status. It became a Category B listed building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected. More recently, the building was updated. It is now known as the Augustine Church Centre.
Augustine Church Centre Today
The Augustine Church Centre is a busy place. It is home to several charities and projects. These include groups like Christian Aid and Jubilee Scotland. It also hosts the Edinburgh Community Mental Health Chaplaincy. The centre is also where Augustine United Church holds its worship services. The Metropolitan Community Church of Edinburgh also meets here.
Community Activities
Many different groups use the centre throughout the week. Music groups, political groups, and other religious groups hold meetings and events. For example, the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union and Edinburgh Youth Choir practice here.
Every summer, the centre becomes a venue for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This is a very large arts festival. On February 12, 1997, a special event happened here. The first ever Fairtrade fortnight was launched at the church. Fairtrade helps farmers and workers in other countries get a fair price for their goods.
