Crown Court Church of Scotland - Covent Garden Scottish Church in London

Crown Court Church of Scotland in Covent Garden - A Scottish Presbyterian congregation was first established in London during the reign of King James I of England and VI of Scots, following the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Some of his Scottish courtiers worshipped in a chapel near the old Whitehall Palace at the diplomatic site as “Scotland Yard” and later provided the original headquarters of London’s Metropolitan Police. More tangible records date from 1711, when Crown Court Church was established near Covent Garden. The church was extensively rebuilt in 1909,but remained on the same site. The exterior of the church is scarcelyvisible as it shares walls with neighbouring buildings, whilst theinterior retains a 17th century feel (despite the early 20th centuryrebuilding work.) The church is named after a small courtyard adjacentto its location, but is also known as the "Kirk of the Crown of Scotland". Crown Court Church is the older of the two Church of Scotland congregations in London, the other being St Columba's in Pont Street, Knightsbridge. The church entrance is difficult to find, but is located in Russell Street, off Covent Garden, next to the Fortune Theatre and opposite the Theatre Royal. The Reverend Philip Majcher (formerly a Chaplain in the BritishArmy) was inducted as the new minister on 18 December 2007. Theprevious minister, the Reverend Sigrid Marten, moved to London RoadParish Church, Edinburgh. Crown Court Church has a small, lively congregation and holds three services a week, morning and evening, with sandwiches served after the midweek lunchtime service. Crown Court has an international congregation who are exceptionally friendly and social. The congregation catchment area extends well beyond the M25. There are also four Gaelic services a year, in March, May, September and December. The church also has a hall that can be used as a venue. 11.15am, 6.30am on a Sunday or midweek at 1.10pm on a Thursday.