Country United Kingdom Website www.stcolumbas.org.uk Functional status Active Groundbreaking 6 July 1950 | Denomination Church of Scotland Status Parish church Phone +44 20 7584 2321 Architect Edward Maufe | |
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Location Pont Street
Knightsbridge, London Address Pont St, Chelsea, London SW1X 0BD, UK Similar Church of Scotland, The Scots Kirk - Paris, Holy Trinity - Sloane St, St Paul's - Onslow Square, Chelsea Old Church | ||
St Columba's Church is one of the two London congregations of the Church of Scotland. The church building, designed by Sir Edward Maufe, is located in Pont Street, Knightsbridge, near Harrod's department store. It was given Grade II listing by English Heritage in 1988.
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History
The presence of Scottish Presbyterianism in London dates back to the Union of the Crowns in 1603. A congregation was established near what is now Trafalgar Square, with a permanent church later being built in Crown Court near Covent Garden. This church is still in use, although rebuilt. The growth in the Scottish community in London resulted in the need for a larger church than Crown Court Church alone could accommodate. The original St Columba's Church building of 1884 was destroyed by wartime bombing during the night of 10 May 1941. It was rebuilt on the same site in 1955 to a striking contemporary design by the architect Sir Edward Maufe, who also designed Guildford Cathedral. The church is named after Saint Columba, the famous saint from Ulster.
The dance society London Reels meets at St Columba's once a month from September to June to dance Highland Reels.
Ministry
The current minister (as of June 2012) is the Rev Angus MacLeod, who was inducted to the charge by the Church of Scotland's Presbytery of England on 7 June 2012.
Newcastle congregation
St Columba's Church is linked (i.e. shares a minister) with St Andrew's Church in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This church is located at the junction of Sandyford Road and Grantham Road in Newcastle. The nearest Tyne and Wear Metro station is Jesmond.
Moderators
There have been three Ministers of St. Columba's who have held the office as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland:
Television
St Columba's featured in an episode of the BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous in 1996. The Rev Calum MacLeod, the Assistant Minister of St Columba's at the time, officiated at the wedding of "Saffy". Rev. MacLeod is currently the Minister of St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh.