History

THE Church of St Michael and All Saints is a distinguished example of Victorian ecclesiastical architecture in Scotland. Designed by Robert Rowand Anderson, one of the country’s most notable Victorian architects, the church stands as a testament to both architectural brilliance and the enduring mission of the Scottish Episcopal Church in the Tollcross area of Edinburgh. The building, which originated as All Saints Church, later merged with St Michael’s Church in 1965, forming the congregation known today.

Architectural Significance

ST Michael and All Saints is an early work by Robert Rowand Anderson, who is widely recognised for the National Portrait Gallery (Queen Street) and the McEwan Hall (Bristo Square) in Edinburgh. All Saints was one of his first church commissions, and he later designed other notable churches, including The Catholic Apostolic Church (now The Mansfield Traquair Centre) in Edinburgh and Govan Old in Glasgow.
     All Saints is unique in that the congregation returned to the same architect for all subsequent alterations and additions, creating a cohesive group of buildings. Although only the church remains under the congregation’s ownership, the architectural grouping of church, parsonage, convent, school, and hall highlights both Anderson’s skill and the Episcopal Church’s dedication to mission in the area.

all saints church tollcross edinburgh 1
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Historical Development of All Saints Church

architectural drawing south elevation 1
architectural drawing east and west elevation
architectural drawing south elevation 2

Early Plans and Construction

  • 1864: Robert Rowand Anderson was invited to enter a limited competition for designing a new church, alongside William Hay and William L. Moffatt.

  • 3 June 1864: Dean Ramsay and the Building Committee announced Anderson as the chosen architect. The church was planned to seat 600 people and cost around £4,000.

  • The initial proposal proved too costly, requiring a revision of the design. The final plan adopted a French Gothic style with a striking flèche.

  • 1866: Anderson presented an updated design, which included nave, aisles, transepts, chancel, and a saddleback-roofed tower at the west end. The church was built with modifications, omitting the tower and narthex.

  • 20 June 1867: The church was formally dedicated to All Saints and opened with a seating capacity of 450.

  • Anderson also designed the original fixtures, including the font and pulpit.

all saints floor plan
all saints narthex
all saints clergy house

Subsequent Additions and Enhancements

  • 1870: William Burges designed a dossal for the high altar, depicting the Annunciation flanked by Moses and Gideon.

  • 1874: The foundation stone of the ‘Home for Sisters of Charity’ was laid in Glen Street.

  • 1876: The west end was completed, including a narthex and gallery.

  • 1877: The foundation stone for a school and hall was laid adjacent to the Sisters’ home.

  • 1878: A new clergy house or rectory was built, now known as Cloisters Bar.

  • 1888-1897: The Lady Chapel was completed in a Romanesque style, featuring an organ loft, boiler room, and sacristy.

  • 1889-1900: The reredos by C.E. Kempe was installed, incorporating figures from Oberammergau.

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St Michael’s Church and the 1965 Union

ST Michael’s Church, originally the Roxburgh Free Church, was built in Hill Square in 1847 to designs by Thomas Hamilton. In 1888, John Kinross adapted it into an Episcopal church, retaining the original galleries while replacing the central pulpit with an altar flanked by chapels.
     In 1965, St Michael’s Church closed, and the congregations united at All Saints Church, creating St Michael and All Saints. This merger resulted in several changes:

  • The wrought iron screen was subsequently removed.

  • The pulpit from St Michael’s was installed in the nave.

  • The high altar from St Michael’s, complete with relics, replaced Anderson’s original altar.

  • The Michael Chapel was created south of the chancel, incorporating the Michael altarpiece (1902) by Hamilton More Nisbet.

  • The Deposition of Christ painting from St Michael’s was placed on the west wall of the nave.

dossal william burgess lady chapel

Key Features and Artistic Contributions

The church contains several important artistic and architectural elements, including:

  • The dossal by William Burges, now in the Lady Chapel.

  • The reredos by C.E. Kempe.

  • The Michael Chapel, incorporating elements from St Michael’s Church.

Religious and Missionary Context

BOTH All Saints and St Michael’s had strong missionary roots. The mission school established in 1853 by St John’s Church, Princes Street, laid the foundation for All Saints’ congregation. Over time, several religious societies were linked to the church:

  • The Society of All Saints (Sisters of the Poor): Sent four sisters from Margaret Street, London, in 1870 to undertake mission work.

  • The Community of St Andrew of Scotland: Founded in 1858 and associated with mission work in Edinburgh.

  • The Community of St Peter the Apostle, Westminster: Took over the St Andrew’s Home in Joppa in 1919 and later All Saints House in Glen Street.

st michaels altar

Present-Day Significance

THE union of the two congregations in 1965 resulted in the unique dedication of St Michael and All Saints Church. While the structure has remained largely unchanged since then, some alterations have been made to internal fittings

For further information about the history of the church, get in touch. →

Mass Times

Sunday • 10:30 High Mass
A service with choral music, organ, incense, bells, and elaborate ritual  Read more →

Wednesday • 11:00 Low Mass (Lady Chapel)

First Saturday of each month • 12:30 Rosary Mass

Celebrate the Sacred Seasons

ST Michael and All Saints invites you to mark some of the most significant moments of the liturgical year with special services featuring glorious music from one of the finest choirs in the city, vibrant Anglo-Catholic liturgy, and preaching that speaks to the heart. These services are true highlights of the calendar, offering excellent opportunities for reflection and celebration. Whether you’re a frequent attendee or joining for a special occasion, these events are sure to inspire.

Pentecost Vigil

Sat 7 Jun • 18:00

Mark the moment when a wind of change swept through the world, igniting the Christian movement. This celebration of Pentecost embraces new possibilities with fiery music. Afterwards, enjoy a reception in the Cloisters Bar next door.

‘O sacrum convivium’

Sun 22 Jun • 18:00

A concert within the Octave of Corpus Christi celebrates devotion to the Blessed Sacrament through music. Experience moving settings of devotional texts alongside stirring organ compositions. This journey through themes of faith offers profound contemplation of the sacred mysteries.

Assumption Evensong

Sat 16 Aug • 16:00

Celebrate Marian devotion in the inimitable Anglo-Catholic tradition, featuring flower petals, processions, and the grandest of grand choral music. The concluding service of Edinburgh’s Festival of the Sacred Arts offers a moment to be inspired.

Come-and-Sing Evensong and Benediction

Sat 27 Sep • 17:00 

Embrace the beauty of Catholic ritual, no matter your tradition. Slip on some proverbial lace for the occasion and join a fabulous Come-and-Sing event. A full choir rehearsal precedes the service. Sign up online to participate.

Advent Carol Service

Sun 30 Nov • 18:00

Enter the season of Advent through a dramatic and awe-inspiring service, filled with candlelight, stirring choral music, and readings, drawing all who attend into a profound sense of waiting and wonder.

Nine Lessons & Carols

Sun 21 Dec • 18:00

Celebrate the Christmas story through the beloved Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. Scripture readings and carols recount the journey from creation to the birth of Christ. The service, accompanied by exceptional choral music, offers a moment of reflection, joy, and a deep connection to the true meaning of Christmas.

4 May 2025

‘Speaking love in a Scottish accent’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the Third Sunday of Easter (John 21:1–19)

20 April 2025

‘Remember.’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Easter Sunday 2025 (Luke 24:1-12)

6 April 2025

‘It’s a lot, isn’t it?’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Passion Sunday (John 12:1–8)

23 March 2025

‘If God ran Netflix’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Luke 13:1-9)

9 March 2025

‘A Reasonable Temptation’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 1st Sunday of Lent (Luke 4:1-13)

5 March 2025

‘More than great television’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on Ash Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)

16 February 2025

‘The Beatitudes aren’t reassuring’ • Sermon preached by the Revd Oliver Brewer-Lennon on the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 6:17-26)

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