One Church, Two Church Centres, Three Hubs – an e.x.p.a.n.d.i.n.g approach to Worship

Church of Scotland

Craigsbank Parish Church is part of the Church of Scotland family of churches. You can read more about this organisation – one of the biggest in the country with some 330,000 members – on their website.

Read more about our faith here.

Craigsbank is at a point of change. Our minister – Rev Alan Childs – was appointed late in 2019, just before the Covid pandemic hit the world. Together – while cherishing our history – we are working not only to reinvigorate church services but to increase our presence in the community and online. This is a chance to be a part of something new. Let’s change the story together.

Rev Alan Childs:

‘We are only human because of the relationships we are a part of‘

An ancient African saying

This saying reflects the core principle that Alan Childs holds dear. In his life and ministry he focuses on facilitating more and healthier relationships, because he believes this is at the heart of God’s being.

Alan has a range of ministry experience: ministering to students in a mega-church in South Africa; managing a multi-programme charity focused on community development and poverty alleviation; and planting a parish church in Dunfermline, Fife. Alan and his family were welcomed to Craigsbank Parish just before Covid struck.

At home on the cricket field or cycling the length of Hadrian’s Wall, his interests also include the health of the ecology, ancient history and student development.

Alan is serving the community as pastor to the parish and minister to the congregation. Looking to the future, along with the leadership of the congregation, he is facilitating forest church gatherings in the Cammo estate, nurturing the use of Craigsbank church centre as a performing arts facility, researching the possible upgrading of East Craigs church centre to include a community café, and looking onto pioneering a new ministry in the western expansion of Edinburgh

John Patterson:

John is our superb music director and through his work he inspires and uplifts the congregation (and beyond) every week. He brings music to the congregation through services, concerts, evenings of reflection, our singers, children’s groups and even via his phone in the open air of forest church. He splits his time between Craigsbank and The Manor School of Ballet where he is music director and admin manager.

Church Adminstrator

We are in the process of appointing a new Church Administrator and will post details shortly. Their office hours will be:

Pastoral care

Pastoral Care, 24/7, is at the heart of the work undertaken in Craigsbank Parish. The Minister, supported by Elders and District Visitors, offers regular Pastoral Care to all church members ­– especially at times of vulnerability and during the recent pandemic. Church members feeling lonely or isolated can reach out to those on the team who can offer friendship and extra support.

The parish of Corstorphine Craigsbank was established in 1937, in a then (as now) rapidly developing area of Edinburgh.

A hall-church was erected at that time and the present formal church followed in 1966 (building work having been halted during the war years). The interior of the church owes its style to ‘the church on the hillside’ – the old Covenanting Conventicle – and was regarded as a highly original concept. The great feature is its openness and its focus on the pulpit at its centre.

The buildings at Craigsbank have been adapted to allow for less-able persons although the number of steps within the sanctuary limits full accessibility.

In November 2002, Craigsbank Church including its Halls, was recognised by Historic Scotland a ‘A building of special architectural and historic interest and listed Category A‘.

East Craigs Church Centre was established in 1984 to cater for the expansion of residential housing in the wider parish. In 2015-7 the area immediately surrounding the centre was repurposed introducing new housing and a new parking area for the centre.

Forest Church –on the third Sunday of every month, we cross the door and take our worship outside to Cammo Estate. This is a rare chance to raise our voices in praise in the glorious nature that surrounds us.