Carrubbers is an independent church with around 400 worshippers each Sunday.
Situated at 65 High Street, Edinburgh, just up from John Knox's House on the Royal Mile, Carrubbers attracts families from throughout the city. The congregation includes residents local to the area and a large number of students and young people.
Members of the church are active in Christian outreach, service and medical work in Africa, South America, Eastern Europe and various parts of Asia. Locally, they undertake a weekly breakfast for the homeless and a range of activities to introduce enquirers to the Christian faith and to provide support for people at all stages.
Regular meetings include two morning (9:45am and 11:30am) and an evening (6:30pm) Sunday service as well as a Tuesday night prayer meeting. Other ministry meetings take place during the week too and special events occur from time to time.
Founded in 1858, Carrubbers Close Mission moved into its present building in 1884.
As a 'Mission' it supported a broad range of churches in Edinburgh and was run by a board of directors drawn from these different churches and denominations.
Included amongst those who have been associated with Carrubbers over the years are James Young Simpson, the pioneer of chloroform use, and the evangelists DL Moody and Billy Graham. There is more information about the history of the church in our history pages.
In the early 1990s the building was refurbished and the congregation reconstituted as an independent church, now known as Carrubbers Christian Centre. The church has a lay President who chairs the church board and there is a vibrant staff team.
The growing congregation is involved in a variety of activities including events during the Edinburgh Festival, church planting in Wallyford, and an extensive programme of care and development for church members and people interested in the Christian faith.
A video taken as part of our 150th anniversary celebrations in 2008. It introduces you to some of the folks who attend, asking each what Carrubbers means to them.
You can take a virtual tour of the church to look around and find out more about what we believe and our core values.
