Our History

  • 1859
    Jesuits invited to come to Edinburgh by Bishop Gillis; a temporary church is established in Hunter’s Close in the Grassmarket'; the first Mass was said on 31 July 1859, the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola

  • 1860
    Opening of the church - architect was Father Richard Vaughan sj

  • 1860-75
    Earliest recorded gift – the Holyrood Madonna, probably pre-Reformation

  • 1871-74
    Stations of the Cross created by Peter Rauth and blessed in 1875

  • 1873
    Further interior decoration

  • 1882-95
    Architecturally a peak period for design and ornamentation

  • 1907
    Organ installed at East end balcony – modified in 1963 and 1974
    New Jesuit residence built next to the church

  • 1966-90
    More alterations in keeping with the requirements of the post Vatican II liturgy

  • 1990
    Solemn rededication of the church after refurbishment

  • 1996-98
    Renovations to church structural trusses

  • 1998
    Restoration of north wall

  • 1999 onwards
    Restoration of Stations of the Cross

  • 2018
    Installation of Harrison and Harrison organ in apse gallery