St Michael and All Saints Church, Brougham Street, Edinburgh

Restoration appeal

restoration appeal What makes St Michael's and All Saints' Church special?

A shrine of the Anglo-Catholic movement in Scotland, St Michael's and All Saints' Church has since 1867 offered a spiritual home to those seeking a sacramental spirituality. Its tradition embodies the living faith of its past and present worshippers, and is expressed in the beauty of the liturgy of public worship and in private prayer.

This category A-listed Victorian Gothic building designed by Sir R. Rowand Anderson (later responsible for the Scottish National Portrait Galler and the McEwan Hall in Edinburgh) contains a remarkable collection of furnishing, which include:

The former High Altar reredos of 1870 (now in the Lady Chapel). Designed by William Burges, the architect of Cardiff Castle and Castel Coch, and executed in carved and painted limeston, it is one of the most important High Victorian ecclesiastical artefacts in Scotland.
The very tall painted and gilded present High Altar reredos, made for All Saints' Church in 1889 by C.E. Kempe.
The richly coloured but delicately carved altarpiece in the St Michael Chapel, designed by Hamilton More-Nisbet in 1901.
The Spanish Baroque pulpit of c. 1600, which came from St Michael's after it was united with All Saints' in 1965.
An important and extensive collection of Victorian and early 20th century stained glass, including windows by William Wailes, Clayton & Bell, C.E. Kempe, and some of the earliest work of Sir Ninan Comper.

The church's musical tradition is maintained by one of the best choirs in the city, with a repertoire ranging from Palestrina and Byrd, to Kenneth Leighton and Judith Bingham. On Sundays and major church festivals, worship is enhanced by mass settings performed, as originally intended, as part of the liturgy. These services make a significant contribution to Edinburgh life during the Edinburgh International Festival. To read more about the Church's history, click here.

Over the years the congregation has given generously to maintain the church. In the last twelve years, for example, essential repairs have been made to the fabric, the three altarpieces restored, the pipe organ rebuilt and a modern heating system installed.

What we are trying to achieve

After 140 years we are now faced with our greatest challenge. In order to preserve this architectural treasure we needed to undertake some serious restoration work, the total cost of which is estimated at £450,000.

Our architects, Gray, Marshall & Associates, drew up a scheme of essential repairs which have been approved by Historic Scotland. This scheme proposed to:

Repair the roof
Replace rainwater guttering and pipes
Replace crumbling stonework and vulnerable stained glass windows
Re-decorate the interior
Improve facilities for the disabled and also install a loop-system for the hard of hearing
Improve the lighting

The initial of the project--the roof and external work--have been completed at a cost of over £300,000. Of this, nearly £100,000 was raised by the congregation and the rest came mainly from grants and awards from Trusts, The building is now wind a water tight for the foreseeable future. The final phases of the project are those that will make a huge difference to our worship. We will redecorate the church and put in a new lighting scheme to restore the interior to its full glory. We will also put in a new kitchen and create facilities for the disable, including toilets. Our distinctive form of worship will be enhanced by these improvements, and we will also be able to reach out to the local community and other groups through their greater use of the building.

Whilst Historic Scotland has in principle indicated willingness to provide a grant towards eligible restoration costs, this will still leave a formidable sum to be raised by the congregation and friends of St Michael and All Saints. To complete this final phase we need to raise at least £150,000 over two years, starting September 2006.

How you can help us

You can help us in our Restoration Appeal by doing any of the following:

Making a donation
Promising regular monthly or annual donations
Transferring shares to the Church
Leaving a legacy in your will

If you are a UK or US taxpayer, we can increase the value of your donation through 'Gift Aid' or the US equivalent. Higher rate taxpayers in the UK can also claim extra relief on their donations, and in the case of the transfer of shares, the taxpayer can avoid Capital Gains Tax.

If you are able to help us in any way with our appeal, please contact the Rector or the Treasurer via the contact page.

We are a registered charity, number SCO16184, and can recover tax on all donations made under the Gift Aid scheme.