Crown Court Church

Crown Court Church is a Church of Scotland congregation in the heart of Covent Garden, London, and it describes itself as the home of the oldest Presbyterian congregation in England. It sits on Russell Street, a short walk from Drury Lane and the Royal Opera House, and is easy to miss among the theatres and cafés around it.

What is Crown Court Church?

It is a working church building in Westminster, used mainly for worship by a Scottish Presbyterian community in the capital. For visitors it is also a quiet piece of London's Scottish history, tucked into one of the busiest entertainment districts of the city.

What is the history of the congregation?

The community formed around the time of the Union of the Parliaments in 1707, when Scots living and working in London needed a place of their own to worship. Early meetings took place in the area of St Martin's Lane and Whitehall, and the first formal records date from around 1710–1711.

In 1718 the congregation bought a plot of land near Covent Garden, and a church opened there around 1719. The name reflects both the location and the Union of the Crowns of 1603, which joined the thrones of Scotland and England under one monarch.

What does the building look like?

The present church dates from 1909. It is built of red brick with Portland stone dressings and is Grade II listed. Sources disagree on who designed it, so the architect remains unattributed. The exterior is modest, with the entrance set back from the street.

Inside, the church is known for its stained glass, much of it by the Farrar-Bell workshop, and for a Royal Coat of Arms from the reign of George I, a reminder of the congregation's eighteenth-century roots.

Why is the site so tight?

The church once owned the whole corner block. In the early twentieth century the corner was sold to the neighbouring Fortune Theatre, and the church kept a right of access from Russell Street. This is why the building feels squeezed in between its neighbours today.

How do I visit?

The church is open mainly around worship services. Limited afternoon opening has been offered on some summer days, particularly in July and August, but times change, so check the church's own website before you go. It also sometimes takes part in the Open House London festival, when buildings not normally open to the public welcome visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Crown Court Church? On Russell Street in Covent Garden, in the City of Westminster, central London. The nearest areas to explore on foot are Drury Lane, the Covent Garden Piazza and the Strand.

Is it a Church of Scotland church? Yes. It belongs to the Church of Scotland and serves a Scottish Presbyterian community in London.

Is it free to enter? Visits during services and open hours are generally free, though donations are welcome. Confirm current arrangements with the church.

Why is it called Crown Court? The name is tied to its original location and to the 1603 Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England.

Is the building old? The congregation is more than 300 years old, but the current building was completed in 1909.

What should I look for inside? The stained glass, mostly by Farrar-Bell, and the Royal Coat of Arms of George I.