Why is this Early English Gothic style Morningside Parish Church so special? It stands proudly on sloping terraces. It occupies a prominent corner site.
Morningside Parish Church has a rich history. It represents a union of five former churches. These churches healed wounds caused by the Disruption of 1843. The Disruption saw the formation of the Free Church of Scotland.
The five uniting churches were diverse. They included the original Morningside Parish Church established in 1838. Also uniting were Morningside High dating from 1844 and Braid established in 1883. Saint Matthew’s founded in 1885 and South Morningside dating from 1889 completed the group. Together they represented Presbyterianism’s main strands. These were Old Parish Free Church and United Presbyterian Church. Unions occurred in 1961 1974 and 1991.
A significant event occurred on Palm Sunday in 2003. The parishes of Cluny and Morningside Braid united. This created the new Morningside Parish Church. It brought all five former churches together as one.
Hippolyte Blanc built the church as St Matthew’s in 1890. The design is cruciform. Side aisles and a chancel feature red sandstone. Fourteen stained glass windows adorn the nave’s side aisles. The St Cuthbert window marked the 2003 union. The St Andrew window sits in the north transept.
The east window depicts Four Apostles. Sir Edward Burne-Jones designed it in 1900. The west window shows four scenes. They portray Jesus’ ministry and Percy Bacon & Co created it in 1905.
Morningside Parish Church houses Scotland’s last Father Willis organ. They installed it in 1901. LDN Architects designed an extension in 2010. The design secured a Scottish Design Award in 2011.
Morningside is a vibrant part of Edinburgh. Its buildings are diverse. It has a bustling retail area parks and a theatre. The theatre was the original Morningside High Church. The church wants to establish a recognisable Christian presence. The new charge offers chances to reach out. It also continues Morningside’s life.
Morningside Parish Church stands as a testament. It is a testament to faith unity and community. It offers a welcoming space. People can connect with history art and spirituality here.