"new congregations" run

 

21st Feb 18.30~20.30

Another (the fifth?) of Mike's Themed Urban Social Runs for Carnethy. I was asked if I could turn up with my camera and record the night run around town visiting places that were originally church buildings that have been sold off and are now used for other activities. Purchased churches repurposed. A good crowd of 30+ runners turned up. The conditions were perfect - no rain, and mild enough to stop at each of the 20 venues for a 2 minute description and background, before heading onto the next no-longer-church.

The social aspect of tonight's run was for me as compelling as the church theme. It was great to catch up with lots of faces I haven't seen for a while (being less event-based these days.) Louise (above) has been commuting from Fife to East Lothian and so was able to take in the run before driving back to Fife. Nice to catch up with Gregor, Olly and Mike (first photo) and everyone else. We met at the Morningside Clock and ran the short distance to Pizza Express.

Pizza Express, Nile Grove,
Formerly Braid Church

This bench outside Newington Library commemorates Fountainhall Road Church.
The library stands on the site of the church, now demolished.

At Findhorn Place we stopped by this plaque in the road to commemorate Alan Ker. He was 35 years old, and a lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, when he won the VC for holding off 500 enemy for 3 hours, with a single Vickers gun, some men and a few revolvers. 

The perceptive among you will notice this isn't a repurposed church but more in line with Mike's previous run Plaque Attack.

On the corner of Grange Road and Causewayside is Cotterell and Co lighting, formerly the United Presbyterian Church with seats for a thousand. Ironically it was in such darkness that no suitable photo was taken on the night worth posting here. Next up the Queen's Hall. Again not the best photo. Oops, sack the photographer!

The Queen's Hall

This started life as Hope Park Chapel. After various changes the building was bought by the Scottish Philharmonic Society and converted to a performance venue. It was officially opened in 1979 by Queen Elizabeth II, after whom it is named..

The former South College Street United Presbyterian Church was built in 1856. It is now the National e-Science Centre and e-Science Institute, University of Edinburgh, South College Street 

The Bedlam Theatre takes its name from the former asylum and poorhouse which used 

to stand on this site. Its building in Bristo Place started life as the New North Free Church in 1848

Frankenstein Pub, George IV Bridge
was originally built in 1859 as Martyr’s Free Church for the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation

The Hub, Royal Mile
Previously the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

down the High Street

Homeless charity Crisis Scotland, Canongate
Formerly a Christian Mission

The Glasshouse Hotel, Greenside Place
Formerly Lady Glenorchy’s Low Calton Church dating from the 1840s,
this former church is adjacent to the Playhouse theatre

Lyon and Turnbull Ltd, Broughton Place
Once was Broughton Place Church

The Ingleby Gallery, Barony Street

Previously Glasite Meeting House, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) took on the building in 1989 after the six remaining members of the congregation decided they could not carry on.

Assay Office, Albany Street
Used to be Albany Street Chapel

Genting Casino York Place
Previously St George's Episcopal Chapel

Bannatyne's Gym, Queen Street.
Was St Luke's Free Church

West Register House, Charlotte Sq.
Formerly St George's.

The Ghillie Dhu, Rutland Place
Built as St Thomas' Church in 1843

Edinburgh Filmhouse, Lothian Rd.
Was the United Presbyterian Church

acrss the Meadows

Church Hill Theatre, Morningside Rd.
Was once Morningside High Church designed by Hippolyte Blanc
(who is buried in Warriston Cemetery)

And we returned to the Morningside Clock to finish the run. It was a fine evening out although I enjoyed the chat and company more than the historical facts which were interesting but not a subject I am very moved by. As always these trips show that the gaps in my knowledge are much larger than the spaces in between. So a big thanks to Mike for trying to educate me, although I suspect it might be something of a lost cause. For much more detailed information about the buildings and their transformations follow this LINK to the Carnethy page where Mike has written up the tour more comprehensively.

and a lovely night for it!

9miles in 2hrs