NEWS

Join us at one of our services over the next few weeks. Our morning services always begin at 10.30am and all are welcome. Do join us when you can.

• 3 April – 7pm St Andrews Clermiston – Good Friday Service
• 5 April – 10.30am Craigsbank – Easter Service & Service of Union led by Bill Taylor
• 12 April – 10.30am East Craigs – Service led by Alan Childs
• 19 April – 10.30am Craigsbank – Service led by Alan Childs
• 26 April – 10.30am East Craigs – Service led by Moira McDonald
• For services at Corstorphine Old Parish please check the existing website until a new site is created. Corstorphine Old Parish.

• Corstorphine Craigsbank Church – 19 Craigs Bank, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 8HD, 10.30am, on the first and third Sunday of the month. Directions
• East Craigs Church Centre – 8 Bughtlin Market, East Craigs, Edinburgh EH12 8XP, 10.30am, on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Directions
• Cafe Church – 19 Craigs Bank, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 8HD, 10.30am, on a fifth Sunday of any month. Directions
• Please note that Craigsbank is now part of Corstorphine Old and New Church and as such our worship centres include the Old Parish Church – 2a Corstorphine High Street EH12 7ST
• You can also watch a shortened version of our service online every Sunday on YouTube.

We are currently working towards a new website for our united Church, Edinburgh: Corstorphine Old and New Parish Church. The launch of the site will be announced here, in worship services and in our communications including our newsletter and magazine.

Mark the date in your diary for the Edinburgh Easter Play 2026. Taking place at 2.00pm on Sat 4 April near the elephant sculpture in Princes Street Gardens, this is a free and accessible event and everyone is welcome. It is a very moving retelling of the Easter story, designed by Cutting Edge Theatre and Easter Play Trust with both families and adults in mind.

Mark the date in your diary – See you there!

Christian Aid are asking us all to consider making a gift on Mother’s Day, in memory of all the beloved women who are no longer with us:

Mothering Sunday can bring back memories of love, care and guidance. It can also be a difficult day for those missing their mum, grandmother or mother figure who helped shape who they are today.

By giving in memory this Mothering Sunday, you can honour her life through a gift that supports mothers and families living through poverty, conflict and injustice.

Take a look at their site for more details.

On 1 January 2026, Craigsbank Parish Church and Corstorphine Old Parish Church united to become Corstorphine Old and New Church. We are delighted to be an extended family with our near neighbours and look forward to sharing faith, worship, outreach and social times together.

At present, services continue in the three centres of worship – Craigsbank, East Craigs and Old Parish – on the dates and times shown on the home page of this site. A change of times and rota of worship is expected around Easter of this year and in due course decisions will be made on the future use of the buildings.

At the same time, the new united church is pressing ahead with pioneering ministry to the west of Maybury. This is a fast growing area of the city and we are already enjoying occasional gatherings in the school or in the golf club, and organising family events during school holiday periods. It is hoped that more regular worship will be offered in this area later in the year but at the moment, the pioneering team is getting to know the area and those who have now moved in to the new housing.

Over the next few months we will gradually build a new website for the united church and restructure our communications. It is our hope that we will be able to deliver a monthly email newsletter and a printed magazine three times a year.

Join us as we go ahead in prayer as Corstorphine Old and New.

Join us in worship and at family / child-friendly events this Easter

ECO Group – Isobel, Anne and Liz tackled the tufted over grown grass at Craigievar Park recently, especially around the fruit trees planted 3 years ago. The Council had been told not to cut or trim in this area so the whole place had become very unsightly. It was being complained about by the neighbours who unfortunately were unable to help. As we felt a responsibility for the trees we took on the job.  (photo attached)

We now have new Park Rangers helping us. We hope they can persuade the Council to cut the grass carefully around the trees.

We were pleased again to have help from Professor Jane Geddes, an expert on tree pruning. The apple trees at Fauldburn. Craigievar and Almond Green have benefited from a branch trim and are all ready for Spring.

We have made contact with the East & West Craig’s Community Council and hope to have help from those who have volunteered at weekends. All are welcome to join us during the week when we find it more convenient.

Please dig deep and see if you can spare a few hours to support this remarkable group.

Our much loved resident band – Bristo Community Concert Band, are back! Pop the date for their Spring Concert in your diary now.

Sat 7 March at 3.00pm at Craigsbank Church.

Tickets available on the door.

On Saturday 8 January 1966, a service of Opening and Dedication for the new sanctuary for Craigsbank Parish Church took place. This was a long anticipated moment for the congregation and indeed for all who lived in the parish.

Those officiating on the day were…

• Rt Rev Archibald Watt,Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
• Rev Thomas Maxwell, Moderator of the Presbytery of Edinburgh
• Rev George Paterson, Secretary-Depute of the Home Board
• Rev Robert Murray, Clerk to the Presbytery of Edinburgh
• Rev James B Donald, Minister of Craigsbank
• Mr W.P. Addley, Assistant Minister of Craigsbank

In a lovely detail from the order of service the following appears:

The congregation being assembled, the doors shall be closed two minutes before the hour at which the service is to begin. The Moderator of the Presbytery shall request entrance to the Church by knocking three times on the main door and say these words of Holy Scripture:

Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them and I will praise the Lord.

The door shall be opened from within by the Architect who shall deliver the keys of the Church to the Moderator of the Presbytery, saying:

In token that this building has been erected for the Church of Scotland I deliver to you the keys thereof, and pray you now to dedicate it to the worship of Almighty God.

The Moderator of Presbytery shall answer:

In the name of the Church of Scotland we accept the keys in tocken of the trust committed to us. We are ready to proceed to dedication.

Passing within the inner door of the Church the Moderator of Presbytery shall pause and say:

Peace be to this house, and all who worship herein.

Peace be to those that enter, and to those that go out herefrom.

Peace be to those that love it, and that love the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

This was followed by the singing of Psalm 100. before the keys were laid on the Communion Table, the ‘Holy Table’.

On the following day, the first service took place at 11.00am led by Rev Leonard Small. A second service took place at 6.30pm led by Rev WM Dempster, Secretary to Huts and Canteens Committee.

Previously, on the laying of the foundation stone on 22 February 1964, The Scotsman had commented:

‘The building is of interesting design, being square in shape with a stepped floor so that the congregation are seated round the communion table, which is at low level in the centre.’

They also mentioned that, ‘there willl be no visible windows, the light being reflected through apertures at roof level’. Of course this was to change at the request of the congregation and the one, beautiful stained-glass window (by artist Ruth Dodds) added, flooding the sanctuary with colour and light on the rare occasions when the sun shines at the right moment. The window had been gifted to the hall church by the Social Centre in 1954.

Church Musician

Temporary contract for 6 months

This is a joyful opportunity to be the church musician for a congregation that loves music. 

Key details
Primary role: playing at our 10.30am Sunday morning service
Secondary role: (if available) lead rehearsals for Craigsbank Singers & Musicians.
If you are interested or know of anyone who might be, please contact:  Rev Alan Childs, 19 Craigs Bank, Edinburgh EH12 8HD
Tel: 0131 334 6365  E: achilds@churchofscotland.org.uk.

Mother & Baby Group Facilitator

We are looking for a warm and welcoming Mother & Baby Group Facilitator to lead a new weekly group for parents and babies in the West Craigs & Maybury area.
This is a part-time, temporary role for 3 hours per week, supporting a 6-month pilot project, running on Wednesday mornings from 10am to 12noon at the Turnhouse Golf Course Clubhouse. The role involves developing and facilitating a friendly, inclusive space where parents can meet, share experiences, and build confidence in early parenthood. Lived experience of parenting and strong people skills are highly valued.

Key details
Hours: 3 hours per week (Wednesday mornings)
Contract: Temporary – 6 months
Pay: £15 per hour
Location: Turnhouse Golf Club
Employer: Corstorphine Old and New
Closing date: 9 January 2026
For more information or to express interest, please contact achilds@craigsbankchurch.org.uk.