Methodism began at Oxford among a small group of students led by John and Charles Wesley. It was a ‘method’ of daily Bible study, prayer, worship and service to the poor.
- John Wesley preaching at his father’s grave
The brothers began to preach out of doors with their message for all people of salvation by grace through faith. It arrived in Scotland before John’s first visit, brought by soldiers after the insurrection of 1745, and spread by them wherever they were sent, from Dunbar to Aberdeen.
John came to Musselburgh in April 1751, took a quick look at Edinburgh, and remarked ‘one of the dirtiest cities I have ever seen’. This was the first of 22 visits. He later said that the High Street [‘Royal Mile’] was ‘far beyond’ any in Britain, though ‘it stank like a common sewer’ – which indeed it was.
For more information about John Wesley relations with Scotland check the following link: http://www.methodistrecorder.co.uk/Scotland.htm
The Methodist Chapel at Nicolson Square was begun in 1815, the year of the Battle of Waterloo. It replaced the earlier Octagon Chapel in Low Calton which was demolished when the Regent Arch was built at the east end of Princes Street. The church was officially opened on 26th May 1816. The organ was built by Forster and Andrews of hull in 1861. USA President Ulysses Grant worshipped at the Church in 1877. The Epworth Hall was built in 1916, partly as a centenary celebration, to provide extra accommodation.
The biggest changes to the interior of the sanctuary area were made in 1974, when much of the original woodwork was removed. The present mobile pulpit (1913) came from Lady Glenorchy’s Chapel in Hope Square. At the same time the old dark pews were painted in light colours. This leaves the current congregation with a large flexible and bright place for our services.
The Church is now a Grade ‘A’ Listed Building, linking it with Wesley’s Chapel in London and the New Room in Bristol, as the three most important historic buildings in British Methodism. The congregation covers a broad spectrum of society. The Square Centre in the Church basement offers nutritious, affordable meals to the public from Monday to Friday. The church building is in use every day. During the interim period, Sunday Evening Services are held at 6.30pm. For more information about Nicolson Square check this pdf: HistNics01 .
Abbeyhill Methodist Church
Abbeyhill inside
Abbeyhill outside
In 1896 outreach from Nicolson Square Church to the soldiers stationed at Piershill cavalry barracks, over three miles away, led to the founding of Abbeyhill Methodist Church. Made from iron, the church was known locally as the “Wee Tin Kirk”! For over a century the church served its community, in particular the children and young people; During the 1986 Commonwealth Games at Meadowbank, the church enjoyed a high profile with the ‘Welcome Café’! Pending re-development the building is currently the home of Sparta Boxing Club! About further information on Abbeyhill history check this pdf: HistAbbeyHill01 . If you are interested in Abbeyhill history you want to download this booklet which was produced in 1971 and now available as a pdf: abbeyhill18961971
Leith is currently Edinburgh harbour but was an independent port from Edinburgh. Wesley first visited Leith in 1763 after taking the ferry across the Forth. His diary records several subsequent visits and the later Leith Wesleyan Methodist Church became in time the Edinburgh (Leith) Circuit. About John Wesley’s visit to Leith check this pdf document: JWinLeith . On the move to its present site in 1868 the preacher was the President of Conference. In 1933 the new Methodist Central Hall was opened in Leith in torrential rain! ( 1933 article: HistLeith02 ).
During the Victorian era the Chapel Hall had been used by the Light Brigade Temperance Society, while during WW2 that became a Naafi canteen! Outreach to young people and the community in Leith continues through the Leith Acorn Centre YMCA, based in the church premises. For more information regarding Leith check this pdf: LeithHist01.
In 1888, from the Methodist Chapel based at Nicolson Square a young minister and great evangelist, George Jackson, established the Edinburgh Methodist Mission was created by the Methodist Synod in Scotland to evangelise on the west side of the city. Under Rev George Jackson’s leadership it grew very rapidly and its home, Central Hall, Tollcross, was 
opened in 1901. Despite the original builder going bankrupt, the Hall was duly completed by a second firm! Prudently included on the ground floor were shops for rent, which now supply a regular basic income. This development also saw the start of the Edinburgh (Mission) Circuit. Central Hall, originally with seating for two thousand people, was the venue for cinematographic exhibitions before the first picture house in the city opened. In recent years it has been the home of the Festival of Youth Orchestras and is in much demand by community and voluntary organisations. Currently the new city church meets here on Sunday morning. About further information regarding Central Hall history check this document: HistCentHall01
In January 2008, the four Church councils agreed to merge into one new church called The City of Edinburgh Methodist Church.
- 1 September 2008 First Church Council Meeting
- 7 September 2008 Inaugural Covenant Service,
The formation of this new city church brings together four societies: Abbeyhill, Edinburgh Methodist Mission at Central Hall, Leith and Nicolson Square Methodist Churches. With this new initiative reaffirming the mission of God and the commitment of Methodists to their calling to worship, learning, caring and evangelism in the city of Edinburgh, pray for us.
We welcome all visitors in the Love of Christ, many of whom come year after year. Methodism has a rich history in Edinburgh but also an exciting present and a promising future.
This brief history was put together by Margaret B. and Richie W.
About further information regarding the Circuit History download this pdf: CircHist
