Life Church, Category B listed church building in Southside, Edinburgh, Scotland
Life Church is a Neoclassical church building with a two-storey rectangular facade and double Doric columns framing the main entrance. The structure was completed in 1813 and sits in a residential neighborhood, contributing to the character of the local streetscape.
The building began in 1806 as a church for the Auld Licht Anti-Burgher Secessionist movement under Thomas M'Crie the Elder. Ownership and religious affiliation changed multiple times over the following centuries, reflecting shifts in Edinburgh's religious landscape.
The church has served as a gathering place for successive religious communities and reflects the layered spiritual life of Edinburgh's Southside. Visitors can experience how the classical architecture framed different forms of worship across time.
The building sits in a residential neighborhood on Edinburgh's Southside that is easily walkable from nearby areas. As a private religious space, visitors should be respectful and check in advance if public access is available.
During renovations in 1886, architect George Washington Browne designed an ornate ceiling for the interior that remained until roof repairs in 1981 necessitated its removal. This artistic addition became a forgotten chapter of the building's history once it disappeared.
Location: City of Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
GPS coordinates: 55.94550,-3.18305
Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08
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