Blackhall St. Columba’s Church

A piece of Iona waits here. Blackhall St Columba’s Church stands proudly. It’s a testament to faith and community. This wasn’t always a grand structure. The original church was a simple iron building. It opened on March 4 1900. The Cramond Parish Church congregation helped create this place of worship. Blackhall was then part of Cramond. It was growing fast as an Edinburgh suburb. The small iron church soon proved too small. A new church was needed. In 1902 plans were drawn up. Mr P McGregor Chalmers a Glasgow architect designed it. He was connected to Iona Abbey Church. The design resembles Iona Abbey Church. The new Blackhall St Columba’s Church was dedicated on May 28 1904. It seated 500. It could be expanded to 900. The church grew. In the 1930s a south aisle session room gallery and choir room were added. They were dedicated in 1935. A piece of Iona Abbey Church stone is in the south aisle wall. Another stone with a Celtic cross is outside the session room. Biblical texts are carved into the walls. The church even has an historic organ. It’s reputed to be the Church of Scotland’s first organ. Nine stained glass windows adorn Blackhall St Columba’s. Six were donated by the Croall family. They remember Robert Croall who died in 1898. Another was donated by Mr Oyama. Douglas Hogg donated two more in 2016. Two in the apse depict Bread and Wine. Three above the arch show the crucifixion. The north aisle has a decorative stone font. It says Suffer the little children to come unto me. On top is the Cross of Monte Cassino. Soldiers made it during World War II. Rev R J Watson Mathewson brought it here. The original iron church became halls. It was demolished in 1956. New halls opened in 1957. Another hall was added in 1978. The church continues to serve its community. Blackhall St Columba’s Church is more than a building. It is a living testament to faith history and the enduring spirit of its people. It’s a place of peace and reflection a place of worship and community. So take a moment. Absorb the history. Feel the tranquility. Let the story of Blackhall St Columba’s Church touch your soul.