Morningside .

       Christ Church was described in 1883 as"0ne of the most graceful ecclesiastical structures in Edinburgh - the spire generally pronounced the finest-and reflects the very highest credit upon the architect, Mr Hippolyte Blanc".The building is in the French Gothic style of the 13th century and consists of a nave, quasi-transepts, a chancel, tower and spire. The nave measures 40 feet in width and 82 feet in length. The roof, which is elaborately decorated, is more than 50 feet in height open to the ridge rising from low internal walls. The moulded arched ribs rest on hammer beams which are supported by freestone shafts. The chancel is lofty and narrow, being 34 feet in height and only 20 feet wide, and ends in a polygonal apse with a circumambient processional aisle. The roof is groined in wood and the walls have rich diapering carved in stone. The apse at the East end contains five lofty windows each of two lancets in beautiful stained glass designs. Externally the chancel is divided into eleven bays by relieving shafts rising from the ground. These terminate at a height of some 25 feet in carved capitals from which spring the moulded ribs forming the groined roof. 

Internally five of the bays are opened to the processional aisle by piers with richly carved bases and capitals, the spaces being filled with ironwork grills. The tower is so situated that it affords both an entrance to the church and provides the organ chamber in the upper part. Above the tower rises an octagonal spire which was originally 140 feet in height and was most ornamental with carved crockets and stone finials, some of which have deteriorated and been removed. The spire has not been without its troubles. Its building was delayed for six months due to a gale blowing the scaffolding down two days before completion. In 1959 it had considerable dismantling and rebuilding. Unfortunately eighteen months later it suffered once more from a gale which rendered it unsafe. Again it was taken down and rebuilt but this time the insurance brokers required that it should be approximately 16 feet horter and be topped with a lighter weathercock to permit the wind to pass through. During the time the spire was declared unsafe, the church was out of use. We were fortunate in obtaining the use of Morningside High Church for two Sundays. It had been closed for renovations and later became the Churchill Theatre. In 1934 The congregation erected a Memorial Chapel in the North Transept.

In its early days the church received numerous gifts which included the communion plate, the stained glass windows, the organ, the pulpit, lectern and font. The pulpit was gifted by the ladies of the congregation, and is worthy of detailed inspection. The font also displays fine work and true craftsmanship. Until 1903 the chancel was open to the nave but in this year the chancel screen was gifted in memory of Colonel Macdougall. The beautiful oak screen has been moved to the west end of the church and sits on a low parapet of solid marble and alabaster. Most of the stained glass windows were gifted as memorials - the two western windows in the south wall are in memory of the Rev. Francis Edward Belcombe, the first Incumbent 1875-1885, and presented by members of the congregation. Without his services given so lovingly and gratuitously in the early years, the birth of the church might never have taken place. A window in the north wall commemorates Dr. Bruce Allan Bremner who was the main force in the movement to erect the church. The Jubilee window, situated in the west wall, was a thank offering by the congregation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the church and was dedicated on 4th June 1926. It was designed and executed by Captain A.E. Borthwick, R.S.W., a member of the congregation. Between2002 and 2005, major repairs were made to the stonework on the steeple, the tower and the chancel. From the height of the top of the steeple, interesting photographs were take. These are now to be found on our 'Photographs' page.

The church was originally lit by gas, electricity being introduced in 1904. Flood-lighting was installed in 1937, returning to pendant lights in 1949. The present more effective floodlighting was installed in 1967. Painting and re-decoration has been carried out at intervals but in 1949 the original mural oblong designs on the walls were replaced in the nave and transepts with light mono-colour finish, giving the church a brighter appearance. A similar decor was adopted again in 1975. The original murals in the chancel have been untouched. The present heating is fired by a gas boiler replacing the original solid fuel boiler in 1964. The woodwork in the church is of good quality and has stood up well to the test of time.

In addition to the times of Services, the Church is normally open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11.00  to 15.00 for people to visit us. All are welcome, of all Faiths or of none.