St Andrew's and St George's West Church

　　    St Andrew's and St George's West Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland located in Edinburgh’s New Town. The parish today encompasses the entire First New Town of Edinburgh, as well as a small portion of the Second New Town from the early 19th century. The church was completed in 1784 and is now a listed building under UK heritage protection.

　　    These two churches were key elements in the original plan for Edinburgh’s New Town. They were intended to be built at Charlotte Square on the west end of George Street and St Andrew Square on the east end. However, the wealthy merchant Sir Laurence Dundas purchased the site originally designated for St Andrew’s Church to build his mansion, Dundas House, preventing Craig’s plan from being fully realized. As a result, St Andrew’s Church had to be constructed along George Street.

　　    The Edinburgh Town Council held a design competition for St Andrew’s Church, which was won by Andrew Frazer and Robert Kay. Construction began in 1781 and the church opened in 1784. It features a unique oval floor plan—making it the first church of its kind in Britain—and its neoclassical Roman architectural style reflects 18th-century trends. The original design included a shorter steeple, but the Town Council opted for a spire, which was added in 1787.

　　    In 1964, the St George’s congregation at Charlotte Square merged with the St Andrew’s congregation to form the St Andrew’s and St George’s congregation. The former St George’s church building is now used as the National Archives of Scotland. In January 2010, the St Andrew’s and St George’s congregation merged with the St George’s West congregation, forming the current St Andrew's and St George's West Church, with services temporarily held in both buildings.

　　    St Andrew's and St George's West Church Reason to visit: One of the most important churches in Edinburgh’s New Town Continent: Europe【Europe】 Country/Region: United Kingdom[Britain] Province/State: Edinburgh [Edinburgh] City: Edinburgh [Edinburgh]