Augustine United Church Edinburgh Photo, George IV Bridge Building History, Architect, Location, Image

Augustine Church Edinburgh Architecture

Historic Church on George IV Bridge in the Old Town, Edinburgh, South East Scotland, UK

post updated 30 December 2021

Augustine Bristo Congregational Church

photo © Adrian Welch 2006

Date built: 1857-61

Architects: JMW & JM Hay

Address: George IV Bridge

Location: 41 George IV Bridge, Old Town

Historic George IV Bridge Church in Edinburgh Old Town

Augustine United Church is a United Reformed Church in Edinburgh. It is in a local ecumenical partnership with St Columba’s-by-the-Castle (Scottish Episcopal Church) and Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland Kirk (Church of Scotland).

The congregation began in 1802 in the Old Town area and had a chapel in Chambers Street. The congregation outgrew the chapel, and in 1855 it was demolished to make way for the Industrial Museum of Scotland.

The present building at 41 George IV Bridge was started in 1857 and completed in 1861. Its architecture is a freestyle mixture of Romanesque, Renaissance and Classical features topped by a three-tiered tower.

It was made a Category B listed building in 1970. The building was renamed the Augustine Church Centre after a renovation and upgrade.

Community, music, political and religious groups hold meetings and events in the centre throughout the week. It is located around the middle of George IV Bridge, where the it crosses the historic Cowgate: a number of bars and restaurants and takeaways, as well as the ESL institute Wallace College, are located around it.

More info on this Scottish religious building is very welcome.

Augustine Bristo Congregational Church context : George IV Bridge

Building close by to north:

National Library Edinburgh

image © Adrian Welch