Church Overview

This compact, mid 19th century Gothic architectural gem was designed by Scottish brothers John, William H. and James M. Hay, often referred to simply as the Hays of Liverpool, where their thriving architectural practice was based. Commissioned by Anglican clergyman the Revd Richard Hibbs, as a home for a Church of England congregation in Edinburgh, it opened its doors as “Christ’s English Episcopal Chapel” in 1857. with space for 450 worshippers within its broad nave and adjacent north aisle. It was however soon renamed St Vincent’s, after the street in which it is located, which commemorates Admiral John Jervis, Earl of St Vincent.

By the mid 1880s, the congregation had joined the Scottish Episcopal Church, partly through the influence of one of their number, the noted Celtic historian William Forbes Skene, who had purchased the building outright in 1883 as a memorial to his parents before gifting it to the Vestry. The building ceased to be a church within the Scottish Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh in 1971 and was bought by Robert Gayre of Gayre and Nigg for continued use by the congregation and as collegiate church for the Order of St Lazarus. During this time, the north aisle was blocked off to form a chapter house for the Order and a collection of heraldic stained glass was introduced throughout the building.

An 1889 organ by Thomas Christopher Lewis, of Lewis & Co, formerly located in the Christ Church, Trinity, was installed in 1981. In 1987, ownership was transferred to the Trustees of the Commandery of Lochore of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, who continued its use as its private chapel in Edinburgh, while also retaining its local congregation. In 2020, ownership was transferred once again to the local Vestry, as the Commandery of Lochore was dissolved and all connection to the Order of St Lazarus was formally ended. The armorial embellishments of these organisations remain to be seen throughout the building. In 2021 by a Makin Westmoreland Sapphire organ was installed.

The building contains a variety of artistic treasures and cultural artefacts, not least of which are a remarkable collection of parish vestments, worn during services and often on show during open days and other special events. St Vincent’s is also the spiritual home of the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts in the Fringe, which originated in the building.

Visit the church’s own website to read a much more detailed account of its interesting history.

Services

Sundays: Sung Eucharist 10.30am, Evensong 6.00pm; Thursday: Eucharist 11.00am.

Opening Arrangements

Open by arrangement

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.