Carrubbers Christian Centre facts for kids
Carrubbers Christian Centre is a well-known church located on the famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
History of the Centre
The story of Carrubbers began a long time ago. It wasn't always the large building we see today.
How the Mission Started
In 1858, a group called the Carrubbers Close Mission was started by a minister named Rev. James Gall. At first, they met in a small building that used to be a meeting house for atheists, people who do not believe in a god.
A major change happened in 1883 when two famous American visitors came to Edinburgh. They were the preacher Dwight L. Moody and the singer Ira D. Sankey. Moody would give powerful speeches, and Sankey would sing songs he had written. Together, they helped raise £10,000, which was a huge amount of money back then. This money was used to build a permanent home for the mission. The new building was designed by a local architect, John Armstrong.
Helping the Community
For most of its history, Carrubbers was a mission, not a regular church. This means its main goal was to help other churches in Edinburgh. Its focus was on:
- Telling people about Christianity.
- Teaching from the Bible.
- Helping people in need, such as those who were poor, sick, or struggling with difficult problems.
A popular event was the Saturday night rally. The centre also started a tradition of giving a free breakfast to homeless people every Sunday morning, a practice that still continues today. Carrubbers is also a registered charity that works to support the local community.
A Modern Church
By the 1980s, the building was getting old and needed repairs. The leaders decided it was time for a major update. The project was called "Carrubbers into the nineties."
In 1990, construction work began. A new floor was added inside the building at the same level as the balcony. This created a new main hall that could seat 350 people. The basement was turned into a café, with more halls and offices. The upper floors also have meeting rooms, a library, and a private apartment.
Today, Carrubbers is an independent, non-denominational church. This means it is not part of any single larger church group. The main meetings are on Sundays, but there are over 30 different activities during the week, including study groups and prayer meetings.
The centre is popular with students and young people. It is known for its clear Bible teaching and for offering courses that help people learn more about Christianity.
