Established Church Assembly Hall, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

7799

Title

Established Church Assembly Hall, Edinburgh

Description

Below the Esplanade, down the thoroughfare of Castlehill in Edinburgh, buildings are on either side of the road. The Highland Tolbooth Kirk with its tall spire dominates the scene. On the opposite side there is the cupola roof of Short's Observatory on top of a crenellated tower.

Artist / maker

Wilson, George Washington

Date

1880

Size

11.1 x 16.7 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Tolbooth Church, otherwise known as Victoria Hall or St John's Highland Tolbooth Kirk, was built in 1842-44 as both a parish church and a meeting place for the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The General Assembly ceased to use the building when they relocated to 'Assembly Hall' on the Mound in 1929. The Church's congregation left the building in 1979, amalgamating with the congregation of Greyfriars Kirk. The Church fell into disuse but was revived in 1999 as 'The Hub', an information centre, ticket office, and venue for the Edinburgh International Festival.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Spires

Natural phenomena > Astronomy > Observatories

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Religion > Religious facilities > Protestant churches

(55°56′55″N, 3°11′45″W)

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