Bellevue Chapel, Rodney Street
Our Building...
Our building is certainly traditional in style, and elderly (although
the interior has recently been completely refurbished),
but the atmosphere is not!
Bellevue Chapel was built around 1880 as a Lutheran Church for the growing
German community in the north of Edinburgh. On the outbreak of World War
1 the church was closed and stood empty for over 5 years. In 1919 the
Christian Brethren congregation that had been meeting in a hall in Picardy
Place bought the church and moved in to establish an evangelical witness
in the district.
Although not a 'listed' building, the church does have a number of interesting and attractive features including some beautiful stained glass windows. The small rose window high above the pulpit featuring a dove descending is always admired. These have been retained in the recent extensive refurbishment. The church is small with seats for just 180 people but at a crush (not uncommon) the capacity can be increased to around 200. The gallery, previously closed off and used as a small hall, has been reopened to provide additional seating. An additional room and an office have been provided at the rear.
Since we do not have a church hall, the building has to be multi-purpose and is used during the week for youth groups etc.