Barclay Viewforth Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barclay Viewforth Church |
|
|---|---|
Barclay Church
|
|
| 55°56′26″N 3°12′12″W / 55.94056°N 3.20333°W | |
| Denomination | Church of Scotland |
| Website | Barclay Viewforth Church |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Barclay Viewforth |
| Presbytery | Edinburgh |
Barclay Viewforth Church is a well-known Church of Scotland parish church located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a beautiful and historic building that serves its local community.
Contents
Discovering Barclay Viewforth Church
Barclay Viewforth Church is found in Edinburgh, where the Bruntsfield and Tollcross areas meet. It stands at the corner of Barclay Place and Wright's Houses.
How the Church Was Built
The church was designed by a famous architect named Frederick Thomas Pilkington. Building started in 1862 and finished in 1864. A generous gift of £10,000 from Miss Mary Barclay helped pay for the church. She wanted a church built for the Free Church of Scotland.
The first minister of the church was Rev Dr James Hood Wilson. The very first church service was held on December 23, 1864. Rev Wilson later became the leader of the Free Church of Scotland in 1895.
Church Unions Over Time
The church was originally part of the Free Church of Scotland. In 1900, many Free Churches joined with the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland.
Later, in 1929, most of the United Free Church joined the larger Church of Scotland. This is how Barclay Church became part of the Church of Scotland.
Over the years, Barclay Church has joined with other local churches:
- In 1965, it united with Bruntsfield Church. For a while, it was called "Barclay-Bruntsfield Church."
- In 1980, it united with Chalmers-Lauriston Church and went back to its original name, "Barclay Church."
- In 2009, it united with Viewforth Church, becoming "Barclay Viewforth Church."
Today, Barclay Viewforth Church works closely with St Catherine's-Argyle Parish Church in Marchmont.
A Home for Different Communities
Barclay Viewforth Church is also home to the Edinburgh Chinese Christian Church. This is a special church for people who speak Cantonese.
Exploring the Church's Design
The church building, along with its halls and the Church Officer's House, are very important. They are listed as "Category A" buildings by Historic Scotland. This means they are of great historical and architectural value.
The Famous Spire
One of the most striking features of the church is its tall spire. It stands about 250 feet (76 m) high! This makes it one of the tallest church spires in Edinburgh and a well-known landmark in the city's skyline.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has a unique heart-shaped main area. It has seating on the ground floor and two levels of balconies. Originally, it could seat 1,200 people!
The church's organ was put in place in 1896 and has been updated twice. The beautiful marble pulpit, also designed by Pilkington, is a central feature. It sits right under the organ pipes.
The Church Halls
The church halls, located to the east of the main building, were added in 1891. They were designed by Sydney Mitchell to match the church's style perfectly. They are built with the same stone as the church.
See also
- List of Church of Scotland parishes
- List of tallest buildings and structures in Edinburgh
