LGBTQ+ Affirming Churches in Scotland
The intent of this page is to provide an online resource for people to locate and visit LGBTQ+ inclusive Christian churches in Scotland. We list congregations that meet on a regular basis in a physical location for worship, prayer, service and fellowship. All churches in this directory have confirmed that their congregation, in some form or fashion, is an affirming Christian church.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE LGBTQ+ AFFIRMING
Some churches already have many signs of inclusion. When the question of becoming an Affirming Church arises, Christians may feel that because they already say “All are welcome”, there is no reason to become Affirming. Being Affirming is not merely about welcoming gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer people. Words like welcoming and accepting suggest those on the inside have the power to choose to accept those on the outside. This makes it sound like an act of charity to welcome or accept those who are different or marginalised.
However, it is not our place to welcome anyone because the church is not a private club and we are not the gatekeepers. Affirmation of LGBTQ+ people and allies and proclaiming a safe space is extremely important; there’s has been progress in the last few decades, but there is still discrimination, homophobia and hate crimes, even in some “All are welcome” churches. Here are examples of Non-Affirming Churches and the possible journey from shaming to affirming LGBTQ+ people:
“Anti-Gay” Churches
Even though some may claim to welcome all, it’ll be very clear with Anti-Gay churches that LGBTQ+ people are NOT welcome and told statements like “you’re going to hell”.
“Conditional” Churches
LGBTQ+ people will be tolerated within these churches, but with conditions: don’t stand out, ask God to “change” you, and you must be celibate (i.e. don’t fall in love or have a relationship).
QUALITIES OF AN AFFIRMING CHURCH
- Public statement of inclusion to ALL specifying sexual orientations and gender identities (commonly on web home pages, about/mission statement pages or on social media descriptions).
- Safe environment where discrimination is challenged
- LGBTQ+ people are baptised, become church members and participate in leadership roles in the congregation
- Marriage and/or blessings on same-sex unions
- Inclusive language
- Occasionally represent LGBTQ+ in services, online platforms and resources
- Further endeavours for equality beyond LGBTQ+ – disability, economic status, age, race, ethnicity, etc
Cults Parish Church
1 Quarry Road
Cults
Aberdeen
AB15 9EX
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev Shuna Dicks
Email: cultsparishchurch@btinternet.com
Website: www.cultsparishchurch.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cultsparishchurch
Ferryhill Parish Church
Fonthill Road
Aberdeen
AB11 6UD
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev Peter Johnston
Email: office@ferryhillparishchurch.org
Website: www.ferryhillparishchurch.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ferryhillparishchurch
YouTube: www.youtube.com/ferryhillparishchurch
Queen’s Cross Church
Albyn Place
Aberdeen
AB10 1YN
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Pending
Email: office@queenscrosschurch.org.uk
Website: queenscrosschurch.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/queenscross
Instagram: www.instagram.com/queenscrosschurch/
Twitter: twitter.com/queenscross
St. Stephen’s Parish Church
Powis Place
Aberdeen
AB25 3TS
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. Maggie Whyte
Email: Maggie.Whyte@churchofscotland.org.uk
Website: www.st-stephens.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/St.StephensChurchAberdeen/
YouTube: St. Stephen’s, Church of Scotland Aberdeen
Cumlodden Church
(part of West Lochfyneside Parish Church)
Furnace
Argyll
PA32 8XU
Main Sunday Service: 10:00am (except 1st Sunday of month)
Minister: Rev. Dorothy Wallace
Email: Dorothy.wallace@churchofscotland.org.uk
Website: westlochfyneside.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Westlochfyneside-Parish-Church-111263877860916
YouTube: West Lochfyneside Parish
Lochgair Church
(part of West Lochfyneside Parish Church)
3 Ardcastle View
Lochgair
Lochgilphead
Argyll
PA31 8UJ
Main Sunday Service: 10:00am (1st Sunday of month)
Minister: Rev. Dorothy Wallace
Email: Dorothy.wallace@churchofscotland.org.uk
Website: westlochfyneside.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Westlochfyneside-Parish-Church-111263877860916
YouTube: West Lochfyneside Parish
Inveraray Parish Church
(part of West Lochfyneside Parish Church)
3 Main Street
Inveraray
PA32 8TP
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev. Dorothy Wallace
Email: Dorothy.wallace@churchofscotland.org.uk
Website: westlochfyneside.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Westlochfyneside-Parish-Church-111263877860916
YouTube: West Lochfyneside Parish
Dumfries Northwest Church
84 Lochside Road
Dumfries
DG2 0LP
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev Colin Sutherland
Email: dumfriesnorthwestchurch@gmail.com
Website: Church of Scotland Profile
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dumfriesnorthwest
St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
1 High Street
Dundee
DD1 1TD
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev Elizabeth Thomson
Email: admin@saintpaulscathedral.net
Website: www.saintpaulscathedral.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stpaulsdundee
St. Andrew’s Methodist Church
Cedar Drive
Greenhills
East Kilbride
G75 9HS
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev Laurent Vernet
Email: laurent.vernet@methodist.org.uk
Website: Methodist Church Profile
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EKMethodists
Augustine United Church
41 George IV Bridge
Edinburgh
EH1 1EL
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev Fiona Bennett
Email: centre.manager@augustine.org.uk
Website: www.augustine.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AugustineUnited/
Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church and Community Hub
12 Bellevue Crescent
Edinburgh
EH3 6NE
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev Laurene Lafontaine
Email: mail@bstmchurch.org.uk
Website: www.bstmchurch.org.uk
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/bstmchurch
YouTube: Broughton St Marys
Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Place
Edinburgh
EH1 2QQ
Main Sunday Service: 1100am
Minister: Rev Richard Frazer
Email: contact@greyfriarskirk.com
Website: greyfriarskirk.com
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/GreyfriarsKirkOfficial
Instagram: www.instagram.com/greyfriarskirk_official/
Twitter: twitter.com/greyfriars_kirk
Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church
18 West Mayfield
Edinburgh
EH9 1TQ
Main Sunday Service: 9:30am
Minister: Rev Sandy Forsyth
Email: churchmanager@googlemail.com
Website: www.mayfieldsalisbury.org
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/MayfieldSalisbury
Instagram: www.instagram.com/the.msyg
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/MayfieldSalisbChurch
Old Saint Paul’s Scottish Episcopal Church
63 Jeffrey Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1DH
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Fr John McLuckie
Email: office@osp.org.uk
Website: www.osp.org.uk
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/ospchurch/
Twitter: twitter.com/OldSaintPauls
St Andrew’s & St George’s West Church
13 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2PA
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev Dr Rosie Magee
Email: admin@stagw.org.uk
Website: www.stagw.org.uk
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/stagw/
Twitter: twitter.com/StAGW1
YouTube: St Andrew’s and St George’s West
St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
14 Johnston Terrace
Edinburgh
EH1 2PW
Main Sunday Service: 10:00am
Minister: Rev David Paton-Williams
Email: www.stcolumbasbythecastle.org.uk/contact-us/
Website: www.stcolumbasbythecastle.org.uk
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/stcolumbasbythecastle
St. James Scottish Episcopal Church
11a Johns Place
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 7EL
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rector. Iain Lothian
Email: churchoffice@stjamesleith.org.uk
Website: www.stjamesleith.org.uk
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Princes Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4BJ
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Markus Dünzkofer
Email: office@stjohns-edinburgh.org.uk
Website: stjohns-edinburgh.org.uk
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/churchofstjohn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stjohnsedinburgh/
Twitter: twitter.com/StJohnPrincesSt
Drumchapel St. Andrew’s Church
153 Garsscadden Road
Glasgow
G15 6UQ
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev John Purves
Email: john.s.purves@talk21.com
Website: drumchapelstandrews.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrumchapelStAndrews/
Ibrox Parish Church
67 Clifford Street
Glasgow
G51 1QH
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev. Tara Porr Granados
Email: IbroxParishChurch@gmail.com
Website: www.ibroxparishchurch.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IbroxParishChurch
Langside Church
167 Ledard Road
Glasgow
G42 9QU
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Pending
Email: langsidechurch@gmail.com
Website: langsidechurch.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/langsideparishchurch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/langside_church
Twitter: twitter.com/langsidechurch
YouTube: Langside Church
Metropolitan Community Church in Glasgow
111 Moss-Side Road
Shawlands
Glasgow
G41 3TP
Main Sunday Service: 3:00pm
Minister: Rev Jane Clark
Email: revclarke@mccinglasgow.co.uk
Website: www.mccinglasgow.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MCCinGlasgow/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mccinglasgow/
Pollokshaws Methodist Church
74 Shawholm Cresent
Pollokshaws
Glasgow
G43 1LH
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. Laurent Vernet
Email: Strathclyde.circuit@gmail.com
Website: Pollokshaws Methodist Church Profile
St. James’ Pollok Parish Church
183 Meiklerig Crescent
Pollok
Glasgow
G53 5NA
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Contact: info@stjamespollok.com
Website: stjamespollok.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-James-Pollok-Parish-Church-110159404250442
St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral
300 Great Western Road
Glasgow
G4 9JB
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev Kelvin Holdsworth
Contact: thecathedral.org.uk/office-and-clergy/
Website: thecathedral.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/openinclusivewelcoming
Twitter: twitter.com/thecathedral
Trinity Methodist Church, Shettleston
Salvation Army Building
34 Etive Street
Glasgow
G32 7LX
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. Laurent Vernet
Contact: contact@trinity-methodist-shettleston.org.uk
Website: trinity-methodist-shettleston.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShettlestonMethodist/
Twitter: twitter.com/TMShettleston
YouTube: Trinity Methodist Shettleston
Wellington Church
77 Southpark Avenue
Glasgow
G12 8LE
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. Richard Baxter
Contact: wellingtonchurch@btinternet.com
Website: wellingtonchurch.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WellingtonGlasgow/
Lyle Kirk
31 Union Street
Greenock
Inverclyde
PA16 8DD
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev. Jonathan Fleming
Email: minister@lylekirk.org
Website: www.lylekirk.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lylekirkgreenock
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lylekirkgreenock/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/GreenockLyleKirkChurchofScotland
Port Glasgow New Parish Church
51-55 Princes Street
Port Glasgow
PA14 5JH
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. William Boyle
Email: WBoyle@churchofscotland.org.uk
Website: newparishchurchportglasgow.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/portglasgownewparishchurch
Twitter: twitter.com/port_parish
Instagram: www.instagram.com/portparish/
YouTube: Port Glasgow New Parish Church
Old High St. Stephen’s Church
Southside Road at Old Edinburgh Road
Inverness
IV2 4XA
Main Sunday Service: 10:30am
Minister: Rev. James Bissett
Email: invernesschurch@gmail.com
Website: www.oldhighststephens.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oldhighststephens
Twitter: twitter.com/invernesschurch
YouTube: Old High St. Stephen’s Church
Houston & Killellan Kirk
13A Kirk Road
Houston
Johnstone
PA6 7HW
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. Gary D. Noonan
Email: GNoonan@churchofscotland.org.uk
Website: www.houstonkillellankirk.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/houstonkillellankirk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/houstonkillellankirk
YouTube: Houston & Killellan Kirk
St. John the Evangelist Church
Floors Street
Johnstone
PA5 8QS
Main Sunday Service: 9:45am
Minister: Rev Reuben Preston
Email: john.s.purves@talk21.com
Website: www.stjohnsjohnstone.org.uk / secstjohnstmargaret.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StJohnsJohnstone
Twitter: twitter.com/JohnsJohnstone
YouTube: St Johns Johnstone & St Margarets Renfrew SEC
Greyfriars Parish Church
Bloomgate
Lanark
ML11 9ET
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev Bryan Kerr
Email: hpaget@lanarkgreyfriars.com
Website: www.lanarkgreyfriars.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/langreyfriars
Twitter: twitter.com/langreyfriars
South Ronaldsay & Burray Church
Church Road
St. Margaret’s Hope
Orkney
KW17 2SR
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. Marjory A MacLean
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHopeKirk
St. Matthew’s Church of Scotland
Tay Street
Perth
PH1 5LQ
Main Sunday Service: 11:00am
Minister: Rev. Fiona Bullock
Email: office@perthstmatthews.org.uk
Website: www.perthstmatthews.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/22175229308
Instagram: www.instagram.com/perthstmatthews/
Twitter: twitter.com/perthstmatthews
St. Margaret’s Church
Oxford Road
Renfrew
PA4 0SJ
Main Sunday Service: 11:30am
Minister: Rev Reuben Preston
Email: Rector@SECStJohnStMargaret.org.uk
Website: secstjohnstmargaret.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmargaretsrenfrew.org.uk
YouTube: St Johns Johnstone & St Margarets Renfrew SEC
Buchlyvie Parish Church
Main Street
Buchlyvie
Stirling
FK8 3LX
Main Sunday Service: 11:15am
Minister: Rev Scott Brown
Email: buchlyviechurch@gmail.com
Website: www.buchlyviechurch.org.uk
YouTube: G&BChurches
Gartmore Parish Church
Main Street
Gartmore
Stirling
FK8 3RH
Main Sunday Service: 10:00am
Minister: Rev Scott Brown
Email: gartmorechurch@gmail.com
Website: www.buchlyviechurch.org.uk/Gartmore/
YouTube: G&BChurches