Holyrood Abbey

Holyrood Abbey is a ruined Augustinian Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland. The abbey (which is sited in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which it predates) was built in 1128 at the order of King David I of Scotland. "Rood" is an old word for "cross," usually meaning that of Jesus, so the name is equivalent to "Holy Cross." A legend relates that David got into difficulties hunting in the woods and was saved by a stag with an illuminated cross between its horns, then vowed to build a church on the spot. The name is pronounced "Holly-rood".

Holyrood Abbey Church (Dalziel Place, Edinburgh)

There is still a Church of Scotland congregation named Holyrood Abbey, however this congregation uses a late-Victorian church building at Dalziel (pronounced dee-ell) Place at the junction of Marionville Road and London Road, some distance from the old Holyrood Abbey. The church building was opened in December 1900 as Abbeyhill United Free Church.

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Following the Disruption of 1843 in the Church of Scotland, part of the congregation of the Kirk of the Canongate left to form Holyrood Free Church. A new building was constructed in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This congregation united with Abbeyhill United Free Church in 1915, henceforth using the Dalziel Place church buildings. The United Free Church of Scotland united with the Church of Scotland in 1929, the congregation henceforth being known as Holyrood Abbey Church. External link

Related Topics:
Disruption of 1843 - Kirk of the Canongate - 1915 - United Free Church of Scotland - Church of Scotland - 1929

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Today, the Holyrood Abbey Church of Scotland congregation is well-known in Edinburgh for its Conservative Evangelical theology and tradition of expository preaching, developed by the Reverend James Philip MA (the congregation's former minister 1958-1997). The current minister is the Rev Philip Hair BD.

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The former Holyrood United Free Church building adjacent to the Palace was used for many years as a storeroom, but in 2003 was extensively renovated and reopened as "The Queen's Gallery" for art exhibitions from the Royal Collections.

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