One of Edinburgh’s oldest and largest churches, Charlotte Chapel, is about to move premises.
On 13 March around 800 people gathered in a service of thanksgiving for the 200+ years the church has enjoyed in Edinburgh’s city centre. Based at 204 Rose Street, it will shortly transfer to a much larger building (the former St George’s West in Shandwick Place) to provide more space for its Sunday services and busy church programme. The congregation raised £1.55 million for the purchase of St George’s West and has invested £1.9 million on its refurbishment.
Excited about potential
Paul Rees, lead pastor, said: ‘This is a great moment for our church as we begin our planned move. We’re excited about the potential this gives us to contribute to this vibrant city, God willing, for another 200 years and more as we gather hundreds Sunday by Sunday from across our city as well as students from across the globe.’
Charlotte Chapel moved to its current home in Rose Street in 1818, having previously met in Richmond Street. Rose Street offered a 750-seater church to accommodate its growing congregation. Its minister at the time, Christopher Anderson, ran three services on a Sunday, with the building often full to overflowing. Today over 600 people still regularly attend and the church runs a busy programme for children, young people and UK and international students, as well as English classes for new arrivals in Edinburgh including refugees. It is a partner church with Bethany, offering a base where the homeless can sleep over the winter months.
The church expects to move into its new home in Shandwick Place by mid-May and plans an opening week of events in June, to which all will be welcome .
