St Columba's Church, London

St Columba's Church
Location	Pont Street Knightsbridge, London
Country	United Kingdom
Denomination	Church of Scotland
Website	www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Architecture
Status	Parish church
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Sir Edward Maufe
Years built	1884 (destroyed in the Blitz) Rebuilt 1955
Groundbreaking	July 6, 1950 (new building)
Administration
Presbytery	England
Clergy
Minister(s)	Revd Angus MacLeod
Laity
Organist/Director of music	David Terry MA ARCO ARCM

Church noticeboard

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.

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:

• Very Rev. Robin F. V. Scott, 1956
• Very Rev. J. Fraser McLuskey, 1983
• Very Rev. John H. McIndoe, 1996

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. (The High Kirk of Edinburgh)

See also

• Church of Scotland
• List of Church of Scotland parishes
• List of churches in London
• Nordic churches in London

External links

• St Columba's Church, London
• Crown Court Church, London
• Home page of London Reels

Churches in Brent
Ancient parish churches (pre-1800)	Old St Andrew's Church, Kingsbury St Mary's Church, Willesden
Anglican daughter churches	St Gabriels, Cricklewood St James Church Alperton St Matthew's Church, Willesden
Other denominations	Cricklewood Baptist Church

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Churches in Croydon
Ancient parish churches (pre-1800)	All Saints, Sanderstead St John the Baptist, Croydon St John the Evangelist, Coulsdon St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Addington
Anglican daughter churches	St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood

Churches in Greenwich
Ancient parish churches (pre-1800)	St Alfege, Greenwich St John the Baptist, Eltham St Luke, Charlton St Mary Magdalen, Woolwich St Nicholas, Deptford St Nicholas, Plumstead
Anglican daughter churches	Church Army Chapel, Blackheath
Other denominations	New Wine Church, Woolwich

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Churches in Harrow
Ancient parish churches (pre-1800)	St John the Evangelist, Great Stanmore St Lawrence Whitchurch, Little Stanmore St Mary, Harrow on the Hill

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Churches in Redbridge
Ancient parish churches (pre-1800)	St Mary, Wanstead St Mary, Woodford
Anglican daughter churches	Ilford Hospital Chapel
Other denominations	Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead

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