St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral

Entrance to St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
©2024 Gazetteer for Scotland

Entrance to St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral

Located in Palmerston Place to the west of Edinburgh's New Town, this significant Neo-Gothic building is said to be the largest church constructed in Scotland since the Reformation and is certainly the grandest in Edinburgh. Built by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1879, it is topped by enormous twin towers in the west, which were later additions, and a central tower in the east, which rises to 84m (275 feet). The building was funded by a bequest from sisters Barbara and Mary Walker, who also gifted the garden of their home, Easter Coates House, as the site of the church.

A member of the Anglican communion, the church has a notable choir and maintains a tradition of daily choral services. In 1978, this choir was the first of any Anglican church in the UK to admit girls.

glass, Millennium Window by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi

Walter Scott's pew

Rood cross

The church also has a Father Willis organ.

The Walker Trust continues to generate income for the church and its community.


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