Crown Court Church
| Crown Court Church | |
|
London, Middlesex | |
|---|---|
| Status: | Parish church |
 The main entrance to Crown Court Church | |
| Church of Scotland | |
| Presbytery of England | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ30518104 |
| Location: | 51°30’47"N, 0°7’14"W |
| Address: | Russell Street |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Website: | crowncourtchurch.org.uk |
Crown Court Church, which is also known as the "Kirk of the Crown of Scotland", is to be found in the areas of Covent Garden in the West End of London, in Middlesex, on the corner of Russell Street and Crown Court, above the Fortuna Theatre and opposite the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The exterior of the church is scarcely visible as it shares walls with neighbouring buildings, whilst the interior retains a 17th-century feel, despite early 20th-century rebuilding work.
The church takes its name from the small courtyard, Crown Court, adjacent to its location.
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.
History
This is the oldest congregation of the Kirk in London: the physical church has stood here since the days of Queen Anne, but it housed a congregation established in London by the courtiers of King James VI, when he became King James I of England in 1603.
When King James ascended the throne of England with a numerous retinue in his wake, some of his Scottish courtiers worshipped in a chapel near the old Whitehall Palace at the diplomatic site known as Scotland Yard.
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.
See also
- St Columba's Church, London
- St Paul's, Covent Garden (the local Church of England parish church)
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Crown Court Church) |
- Crown Court Church
- Mystery Worshipper Report at Ship of Fools