Visitors to Edinburgh over a summer weekend this year have a choice of Sunday morning Christian worship in two dozen churches in the centre of the city. The main services start at either 10.30 am or 11 am and last between an hour and an hour and a half. Every church welcomes visitors.
The religious history of Scotland is different from that of England. Shortly before the Act of Union between Scotland and England of 1707 both the Church of Scotland, which is Presbyterian and Reformed, and the Church of England, which is Anglican and Episcopal, had reached their maturity after centuries of turmoil. Both are guaranteed their existence by a new monarch at the start of his or her reign. The monarch worships in both.
In essence the church minister devises the prayers and order of service in Scotland's kirks whereas the liturgy in the Church of England comes from the 1662 Prayer Book or more modern versions. What is preached is very similar, although each has its own hymn book.
The Church of Scotland has no bishops but an annually chosen moderator presides over its week long General Assembly held in Edinburgh each May. The monarch is present or sends her Lord High Commissioner.
There are eleven Church of Scotland churches in the centre of Edinburgh. The highest standard of music currently is at the High Kirk, St Giles’ Cathedral on the Royal Mile. The service at 10 am includes Communion and sermon, at 11.30 am it’s just sermon. The order of service sheet handed to everyone on arrival is comprehensive and understandable. It is the mother church of worldwide Presbyterianism.
St Andrew’s and St George’s West (11 am), Canongate Kirk (11.15 am), St Cuthbert’s (11 am) and Greyfriars Kirk (11am, Gaelic at 12.30 pm)) all have good music and choir. Be aware that St Andrew’s and St George’s is in the process of uniting with St George’s West. Currently services are held month about in their two buildings. It started with St George’s West in Shandwick Place in January 2010.
In its transition from Roman Catholicism to Presbyterianism, St Giles’ was for a while Anglican. When the Anglican congregation was kicked out in 1690 they set up what is now the Scottish Episcopal Church. It is a Province within the worldwide Anglican Communion.
There are seven Scottish Episcopal churches in central Edinburgh. The best music currently is at Old St Paul’s Church in Jeffrey Street, which has historic ties with the Episcopal Church in the United States. St Mary’s Cathedral in Palmerston Place and St John’s Church at the west end of Princes Street also have impressive choirs. The service at all three starts at 10.30 am. The various Scottish Prayer Books are similar but not the same as those of the Church of England.
There are three Roman Catholic churches. Its Metropolitan Cathedral is at the top of Broughton Street. St Patrick’s is at South Gray’s Close and Sacred Heart in Lauriston Place. Edinburgh’s Cardinal O’Brien will welcome the Pope to the city on 16 September 2010 when he is received by The Queen at The Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Methodists are at Central Hall in Tollcross, Edinburgh's Quakers at Victoria Terrace and the United Reformed church is on George IV Bridge. All three start at 11 am.