Crown Court Church of Scotland

Crown Court Church of Scotland is a Presbyterian congregation on Crown Court, a small court off Russell Street in Covent Garden. Its first formal records date from 1711, making it the longest-established Presbyterian church south of the border, and it has worshipped on this site since 1719, when the congregation moved from St Peter's Court off St Martin's Lane to land leased from the Duke of Bedford.

The church remains a congregation of the national Church of Scotland and a registered Scottish charity. It describes itself as an affirming and inclusive church community, offering a home away from home for Scots, Americans and Presbyterians from around the world, though many members come from outside the Reformed tradition. The original building was paid for by public subscription and consecrated on 4 March 1719, and the minister John Cumming, who served from 1832 to 1879, made it one of the most talked-about pulpits in Victorian London.

Church of Scotland in Covent Garden

The Presbyterian church holds weekly Sunday worship, with Gaelic services and a programme of music through the year. It marks life events such as weddings, baptisms and memorials, runs church groups during the week and offers an LGBT+ affirming ministry. A fundraising campaign called A Kirk for Tomorrow was launched in July 2026 to support a renewal project for the building.

What to expect on a visit

Two spaces are available for venue hire. The Sanctuary seats up to 200 across the lower floor and gallery, with traditional pews, stained glass, a good upright piano and a three-manual Bevington organ restored in 2019, and suits concerts, rehearsals and recordings. The Church Hall below is a bright, flexible room with a grand piano, a serving counter and fast wifi for meetings and receptions. The church is within five minutes' walk of Covent Garden and Holborn stations, close to the Royal Opera House. It is one of the more unusual event venues in Covent Garden, alongside the Art Deco rooms of 60 Great Queen Street nearby.