St Stephen's Church

The massive structure of St. Stephen's Church lies dramatically at the bottom of St. Vincent Street in the Stockbridge district of Edinburgh's New Town. This important A-listed structure provides a focal point at the end of the slope running down Frederick Street and Howe Street. Construction was made difficult because of the sloping site, but this challenge was taken up by W.H. Playfair and the building opened in 1828.

The exterior is basically square, but diagonally-built with a corner facing the street, to which the cavernous arched porch entrance is attached. Beneath are large tunnel-vaulted cellars, which once contained an evening school, opened by the first minister of the church, Dr. William Muir, for the education of his illiterate parishioners. The square multi-stage tower rises to 49m (162 feet) in height and contains the longest pendulum in Europe to regulate its clock.

The interior was divided into two levels in 1956, the church having become too large for its congregation. The building was sold by the Church of Scotland in 2014 and became an entertainment venue used during the Edinburgh Festival. Later is became home to the Edinburgh Festival Ballet and a theatre school. Once forming the gallery of the church, the largest space is now known as the Ashton Hall, named after the ballet dancer and choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton (1904-88). It is octagonal and seats 400.

The internal fittings, by architect David Rhind (1808-83), and the Willis organ were retained.


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