Carrubbers
Christian Centre
Carrubbers Christian Centre is an independent evangelical church in the heart of Edinburgh.
Situated at 65 High Street, Edinburgh, just up from John Knox's House on the Royal Mile, Carrubbers attracts families from throughout the city. The congregation includes residents local to the area and a large number of students and young people.
Regular meetings include our morning (10:30am) and an evening (7pm) Sunday service as well as a Tuesday night prayer meeting (most Tuesdays - please check the events diary for more details). Other ministry meetings take place during the week too and special events occur from time to time.
Members of the church are active in Christian outreach, service and medical work in Africa, South America, Eastern Europe and various parts of Asia. Locally, they undertake a weekly breakfast for the homeless and a range of activities to introduce enquirers to the Christian faith and to provide support for people at all stages.
The growing congregation is involved in a variety of activities including events during the Edinburgh Festival, church planting in Wallyford, and an extensive programme of care and development for church members and people interested in the Christian faith.
GOD: There is only one God, who exists in a relationship of three persons: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the Trinity). God has revealed His existence in the creation of the world and in our consciences.
Matthew 3:16, 28:19; Romans 1:20, 2:14-15; 2 Corinthians 13:14
THE BIBLE: God has given us a written revelation of Himself in the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments. It is the written Word of God given through humans by the Holy Spirit (inspiration). It is without error as originally given (inerrant), fully reliable (infallible), and our supreme authority for all matters of belief and behaviour. It tells us everything we need to know about God and how we should relate to Him (sufficient).
Psalm 19:7, 119:96; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 1:14, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3, 1:19-21; Revelation 22:18-19
HUMANITY & SIN: All human beings are made in God’s likeness, with inherent dignity and value. However, all people have been alienated from God and corrupted by sin, because humanity has rebelled against God. So there is nothing we can do to save ourselves from sin’s guilt or penalty: death.
Genesis 1-3; Psalm 8; Mark 7:21; Romans 1:21-25, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3
JESUS CHRIST: In love and in history, God has taken the initiative to save us by sending His Son, Jesus. Jesus is fully God and fully human. As our representative, He lived a sinless life and died suffering the penalty for our sins on the Cross (atonement). He was resurrected in victory over death. He reigns in heaven today for the sake of His people.
John 1:1-4, 8:58, 17:8; Acts 1:1-11; Romans 3:24-26, 5:18-19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Colossians 2:9-15; Hebrews 2:6-17, 9:25-28, 10:11-14; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 4:10
SALVATION: On the basis of Jesus’ death and resurrection, God freely offers the gift of salvation and eternal life to sinners (grace). Through trusting in Jesus (faith) we can receive forgiveness for sin’s penalty (justification), the subduing of sin’s power so that our lives can be changed (sanctification), and the assurance of our own bodily resurrection to life in the new creation (glorification).
Romans 5:1-11, 8:28-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-14
THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit gives new life (regeneration), in relationship with God as His children, to all who trust in Jesus. He dwells within us and is working with us to transform our minds, desires and actions to be like Jesus in all His beauty (sanctification).
Ezekiel 36:25-27; John 3:3-8; 14:15-17, 16:13-15; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:5-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 12:7; Galatians 5:15-25; 1 Peter 4:10-11
THE CHURCH: Followers of Jesus belong to the church community. The church exists to worship God; to nurture the growth of Christians through preaching the Bible and celebrating Baptism and Communion; as well as to multiply followers of Jesus to live for God throughout the world by sharing the gospel.
Matthew 18:15-20; 22:36-40, 28:19-20; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:1-15; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-2
THE FUTURE: When Jesus returns He will renew creation. He will reward those who have trusted in Him with the blessings of resurrected life, glorifying God and enjoying fellowship with Him forever (Heaven). He will also judge unbelievers, who will face the eternal consequences of their sin: separated from God’s love and suffering God’s just condemnation on evil (Hell).
Matthew 25:46; John 3:16-18; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 15:24-28, 15:52-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; Titus 2:13; 1 Timothy 6:18-19; 2 Peter 3:1-11; Revelation 21-22
Carrubbers Close Mission was founded in 1858 in Carrubbers Close, an alley leading off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It started in a former Atheist Meeting House, in an effort to reach Edinburgh children for Christ.
'As a 'Mission' it supported a broad range of churches in Edinburgh and was run by a board of directors drawn from these different churches and denominations.
In 1883, the American Evangelist DL Moody came to Edinburgh. He realised the need of a building, raised £10,000 to build one, and preached at the laying of the foundation stone. Carrubbers continues to have excellent transatlantic links and has continued in the evangelical tradition throughout its long history.
Included amongst those who have been associated with Carrubbers over the years are James Young Simpson, the pioneer of chloroform use, and the evangelists DL Moody and Billy Graham.
In 1990, the directors of the mission decided to refurbish the ageing building. A floor at balcony level has provided us with an inviting main hall, and space for a lower hall and cafe.
Our president is Eric John Scott from Scotland, and the pastor is Rev Wayne Sutton, from New York. Our associate pastor is Rev David Anderson, from Scotland. Each ministry within Carrubbers is headed up by a Ministry Leader, under the direction of the church leadership. As a city-centre fellowship with a strong student community, we also have a strong international flavour, with our fair share of people from all the continents.
Carrubbers has a long history of great spiritual blessing, and continues to be a place where we worship the God who made us, and earnestly seek His presence in the meetings which are held, and in the lives of the people who attend. The church which meets here continues the long tradition of Biblical preaching and teaching.
I know we're a bit biased, but we think Edinburgh is a most excellent city - but don't just believe us, come see for yourself.
The city centre is divided into two main sections, the Old Town, and the New Town (built in the 18th century). Looking westwards from Calton Hill gives the most amazing view of sections of both including the castle, the Balmoral and Waverley station with views extending to the Pentland Hills in the background.
The Royal Mile runs from the Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House, and is steeped in history. From Mary Queen of Scots and her legendary battles with the Reformer John Knox, to the dark tales of Burke and Hare (you don't want to know), you are not going to get bored here.
It is at the centre of Edinburgh's Royal Mile that Carrubbers has its home. Just a couple of doors up from John Knox House, and a little down the street from St Giles Cathedral, high church of the Church of Scotland, Carrubbers is superbly positioned to reach the world as it passes our doors - which it does every year - as the Edinburgh International Festival is the largest annual festival of the arts on the planet.
For six weeks in the summer, Edinburgh plays host to some of the worlds finest orchestras, bands and theatre companies, ending in the largest annual firework display in Europe from the Castle, watched by hundreds of thousands of people from the historic Princes Street. The Edinburgh International Festival is the largest and one of the best-known annual arts festivals in the world.
Along with the official Festival, there is a 'Festival Fringe', which has outgrown the Festival itself in size, where thousands of arts companies, both amateur and professional, stage their productions in everything from theatres to school gymnasiums.
For six weeks the population of Scotland's capital city more than doubles in size, and the nearest accommodation which the late visitor can expect to find can be over an hour's drive from the city.
Carrubbers is an independent evangelical church at the heart of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. We love Jesus and would love to welcome you too.
If you are planning to visit our city, be sure and call in.
