Welcome To St Cuthbert's Church !

On This Page : 

Welcome to Our new Minister - Rev David Denniston
Our Thanks to Rev Charles Robertson and Rev Dr George J Whyte
The Historical St Cuthbert's
Our Place in the Community
The Letter from the Manse
St Cuthbert's Guestbook
Contact Details 

I thought it might be good to let you know just a little about me and about the Denniston family..... 

I was ordained in 1981 into my first charge in Glasgow, the city in which I was born, raised, educated and married. There followed ministries in Fife and then in Perth. In all this, as also in the work I have done with the committees, boards and councils of the church, my deepest passions have been for worship, preaching and mission.  

But other interests also find their place. I am a keen fly-fisherman, enjoy hill-walking when I am able, have eclectic tastes in music (although - sad to say - I am mainly an unreconstructed 1970's progressive rock fan!), play guitar and bass guitar, and am an enthusiastic rugby supporter (indeed, I have just purchased my season ticket for Edinburgh Rugby!). 

Jane (who is also an ordained minister and who works with the Ministries Council at 121 George Street) previously spent some years as an artist, although she presently has little time to develop this talent. In addition to her job, she is studying part-time for a for a Masters degree.  

We have three grown up children: Iain, who works with a computer games company in Leith and lives in Newhaven, Graeme, who has returned to full-time education and is at university in Glasgow, and Ruth who has been studying at the Galashiels campus of Heriot Watt, and who graduates in a few weeks time.  

It is a very real privilege for us to be part of the family of St Cuthbert's and I look forward to sharing with you in worship, fellowship, mission and congregational life. 

Our heartfelt thanks go to our Intermin Moderator - Rev Dr George J Whyte, and Locum Minister - Rev Charles Robertson, who have looked after us so well during our vacancy. Our prayers go with them for all they they do in the future.

Rev Charles Robertson, Locum Minister	Rev Dr George J Whyte, Interim Moderator

The history of St Cuthbert's is fascinating. According to tradition, in the 7th century, St Cuthbert - the famous Northumbrian Saint - built the first church on the site, made of mud and wattle.  

However, our first definite landmark is a Charter of King David I in 1127 which refers to 'The Church of St Cuthbert, hard by the Castle of Edinburgh.' This is the oldest manuscript in Register House, Edinburgh.  

In many ways, St Cuthbert's can rightly be called the Mother Church of Edinburgh in that its parish once encompassed most of the present day city.  

With a history spanning 1000 years and more, St Cuthbert's has been, in turn, Celtic, Roman, Episcopalian and Presbyterian. For the last 300 years it has been a congregation of the Church of Scotland and a member of the Presbyterian family of churches.  

It is reckoned that over the centuries there have been at least seven church buildings on this hallowed spot below Edinburgh's Castle Rock. The church's close proximity to the Castle meant it was often caught in cannon crossfire between opposing armies and, as a result, sustained either severe damage or was destroyed. Such was the resilience of our forebears, however, that they immediately set about the daunting task of rebuilding.  

The present church of 1894, built in an Italian Renaissance style, possesses a magnificent interior. It is unusually ornate and sumptuous for a Presbyterian church and is acclaimed for its beauty, atmosphere and sense of 'presence'. It is well worth a visit!  

The present Church building, lying below Edinburgh Castle and amidst the trees, was dedicated in 1894.  

Our members come from all parts of the city, as well as the parish itself - which takes in the community from Princes Street to West Tollcross and High Riggs.  

St Cuthbert's has a long tradition of caring involvement, with current examples being our active ministry among the business community - OASIS - and our working to help relieve HOMELESSNESS in the city.  

A Parish Residents' Team is working to establish links with people who live in the area and we are ecumenically linked to our neighbour, St John's Scottish Episcopal Church.  

The area is the hub of the international financial centre and a magnet for thousands in search of entertainment in cinema, theatre, pubs and clubs. Around two thousand people live within our parish (SEE MAP) and we play host to a steady procession of tourists from all over the world.  

We serve a community on the move: a river of people swirling around the ancient rock on Edinburgh's skyline. As a Christian Church we are trying to learn how to ride the rapids of the Spirit and point to the Rock who is Jesus Christ. You'll find a bit of both on your visit."  

Why not read and then sign our GUEST BOOK Please share your thoughts and comments with us, and also with our other visitors. 

Thank you !