Category: News

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.

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.

You should by now have received your copy of the Craigsbank Bulletin. If not, there are copies at both centres or just let the office know if you need more copies sent out. In the meantime, you can download it or read it here at the link below.

Happy Christmas to all.

Jan

A huge THANK YOU to all who came along to our fun afternoon at Maybury Primary School yesterday. It is a long time since we had last seen rain pour down in the way that it did but it did not daunt you. We had a great time – the children enjoyed the craft activities, the adults the chat, the singing and the (slightly too difficult!) quiz.

All friends and neighbours in the new-built West Craigs, Turnhouse, and Maybury communities are invited to an hour of Christmas Carols and festive family fun at Maybury Primary School tomorrow, Sunday 7 December at 4.00pm. Hot chocolate, mince pies and a happy, warm festive welcome awaits.

See you there!

Cafe Church at Craigsbank on Sunday was the scene of some Long Service presentations to elders who have helped the congregations through the best of times and the difficult times, always positive and always supportive. The thanks of the congregation go out to you all.

Congratulations to:

Years Service	Ordained	Name
42	20.03.1983	John Baker
39	01.06.1986	Alan Kennedy
35	17.12.1989	Julie Wilkinson
34	31.03.1991	Ian Ridland
32	05.12.1993	Christine Laurie, Marion Cockburn
30	03.12.1995	Anne Currie

Anne, Christine, Marion, John and Julie all received their certificates on Sunday.

Join us at East Craigs Church Centre for a pre-Christmas, fun-filled family afternoon! Book your place now.

Following our Service of Remembrance on Sunday, today at 11.00am we remember all those who have lost their lives in war and in peacekeeping roles. We remember those they left behind. And we remember too those who have returned with physical, often life-changing injuries and mental scars. We pray for all of you.

We pray too for countries facing the atrocities of war today. For those using diplomacy to engage in peace talks. For those unseen, working to protect our shores.

And just like that…

You can listen right here to the official Basis of Union acceptance by Presbytery. This is a joyful, long anticipated (but at times quite painful), future-pointing moment in the story of our congregation and our sincere thanks go to all on the steering group, to Rev Alan Childs and to Elaine Thomson our session clerk for getting us to this point.

We now look forward to joining with Alan and Rev Moira McDonald in team ministry and with our neighbours from Corstorphine Old Parish in a newly formed and united parish: Edinburgh Corstorphine Old and New, from 1 January 2026.

Come and join the fun of Network. The following programme all takes place on Monday evenings with a 7.30pm start in Craigsbank halls (with the exception of the Christmas meal – details to follow).

Network Syllabus 2025/2026

2025

• 6 October – TV Programmes of the Past – Roy Johnston
• 20 October – Cramond Island – Ian Rodger
• 3 November – Beetle Drive
• 17 November – Christmas Crafts – Cherry Gilmour
• 1 December – The accused Witches of Corstorphine – Rev Moira McDonald
• 15 December – Christmas Meal

2026

• 12 January – Channel Islands occupied during World War 2 – Graeme Allan
• 26 January – A tour of the Royal mile – John Gorrie
• 9 February – Your kitchen apothecary herbs & spices for everyday health and wellbeing – Daina Marshall
• 23 February – Colinton Tunnel – Mike Scott
• 19 March – to be advised
• 24 March – AGM and Chippie Night