Church Overview

Tradition asserts that St Cuthbert planted a cell church on this spot in the 7th century, which, if confirmed, would mean Christian worship has taken place on this site for 1300 years. The current church is reputed to be the seventh on this site and built 1892-5 by architect Hippolyte Blanc, who retained the 1775 tower and 1789 spire of the church’s immediate predecessor.

Its richly adorned interior furnishings include a marble communion table of 1894, a marble and alabaster pulpit of 1897, a striking alabaster frieze of Da Vinci’s Last Supper scene, erected in the Apse in 1906, a font designed by Thomas Armstrong with a mother and childe carved on it, from 1908, richly coloured murals by Sir Gerald Moira and Robert Hope and many beautiful stained glass windows, including one by by Tiffany & Co. The elaborate Byzantine stylings, evident conspicuous expense and very un-Presbyterian iconography of the interior provoked fierce debate, both locally and nationally, and was discussed at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1912. 

The magnificent pipe organ was originally built by Robert Hope-Jones in 1899 and has been fully rebuilt in 1928, 1957 and 1997. In the base of the 1775 tower is a small marble-lined chapel, dedicated to the memory of those members of the congregation who fell during World War One. Doors were added later as a lasting memorial to those individuals who died during the Second World War. It is believed this chapel marks the site of Cuthbert’s original cell and it was here that best-selling crime-writer Agatha Christie married the archaeologist Max Mallowan in 1930.

The building was altered in 1990, to create new and improved meeting spaces and the original sanctuary seating was removed in 2020 to improve accessibility and functionality in this area. A gift shop and refreshments are available while the church is open to visitors during the summer months.

Outside, there is a truly remarkable historic graveyard, with many famous names interred therein, containing a treasure-trove of some of the finest 18th century sculpted gravestones in the city. St Cuthbert’s Parish Church is also a Destination Hub on our St Cuthbert Pilgrim Journey.

Services

Sundays at 10.30am. Services of Holy Communion also take place at the other times, see church’s website for details.

Opening Arrangements

Open Easter to end September, Monday to Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm

Disclaimer

The information about churches in Scotland’s Churches Scheme has been provided by the congregations or taken from the Historic Scotland list and published sources, in particular, the Buildings of Scotland volumes and the RIAS Illustrated Architectural Guides. To contact this specific church please complete the Contact this Church form above. The information is not authoritative; please contact Scotland’s Churches Trust to let us know of any errors or omissions.