William Reid was a successful Edinburgh businessman during the 19th century, and when he died in 1889 he left his wealth to his four sons.[3] The last son, William Crambe Reid, died without heirs in 1921 after inheriting the wealth of his brothers, and bequeathed his estate to the United Free Church to build a church in memory of his father, but the reunion of the churches had taken place before construction started.[3] There already being an abundance of churches in the south side of Edinburgh, the Presbytery of Edinburgh moved the congregation of the Free High Church attached to the New College at the top of The Mound into the new building, as their building was to be used for the expansion of the activities of the College.[4][5]
It was dedicated on 3 January 1935, and the first Sunday service, on 6 January, was officiated by Rev. J Marshall Robertson.[6][4]
On 11 June 2019 the Rev. Alex McAspurren was inducted as minister of both Craigmillar Park Church and Reid Memorial Church, the two churches having been linked by the Presbytery of Edinburgh the previous year.
Details
The tower to the south-east, with the cloister area below
The church was designed by Leslie Grahame Thomson and built between 1929 and 1933.[7] It is in an Arts and CraftsGothic style, replicating mediaeval churches with cathedral-like proportions and layout.[8]
It consists of a cruciform with side aisles and a square tower to the south-east.[8] To the east of this main section is a cloister court, around which are arranged vestries, the session house, a hall and the church officer's house.[8] The windows along the side are decorated with tracery and there are flanking buttresses that travel above the height of the windows.[8] The three windows of the chancery are decorated with stained glass by James Ballantine, depicting the Nativity, Crucifixion and Ascension.[8][4]
The Church is located in a triangular area between West Savile Terrace to the north, and Blackford Avenue to the south, a steep hill that rises above it.[4][9] It was protected as a category A listed building on 12 December 1974.[8]
