Friends of St Columba's

Supporting the work of the church and the upkeep of the building

Friends of St Columba's

History

For more than a century St Columba’s Church of Scotland has been a home for Scots in London and a welcome place of worship and prayer for people from a wide range of faith backgrounds. The building also a hub of activity for the local community on every day of the week, not just on Sunday mornings.

Homeless guests are welcomed for lunches and a winter overnight shelter. Alcoholics Anonymous are among organisations using meeting rooms during the week. Scottish dance groups enjoy their weekday evening sessions. The magnificent church organ has great appeal for performances by visiting musicians as well as our own church choir.

Image: St Columba’s Church, Pont Street view

Aims

The Friends of St Columba’s offers a chance to support the work of the church and the upkeep of the building.
The Friends is also a forum for fellowship, giving members an opportunity to socialise on days out and those who have moved further afield to keep in touch with old friends through newsletters and outings;
Visits to Westminster have strengthened links with Scottish MPs and peers and other friends in Parliament.

Image: Sanctuary at St Columba’s – View from Gallery

Sources and Uses of Funds

At the Friends’ AGM on St Columba’s Day, (June 6, 2024) we voted the following:

£500 to support the Sunday School Pantomime
£250 to the Church Magazine;
£250 to The Flower Guild+
£100 for a ramp to the Church side door to help the elderly and disabled

Image: Wellcome Collection

The Friends relaxing after a memorable visit to The Charles Dickens Museum.

We went to the nearby Lady Ottoline pub and were offered lunch in the VIP suite. Excellent food and company!

Image: The Friends relaxing after a memorable visit to The Charles Dickens Museum.

A Forum for Fellowship: Recent visits by the Friends

Winchester Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral; Chelsea Physic Garden, A Walking Tour of the City of London led by a Blue Badge Guide, Fenton House, Hampstead; plus a 3-day tour of SW Scotland, Dumfries and the Robert Burns Heritage site, the original home of the TSB, Ruthwell Church with its 8th century cross, and the early Christian settlement at Whithorn. In 2023-24 Hugh Pym led a visit to the BBC, we saw Charles Dickens Museum and the Museum of London in Docklands, and enjoyed a splendid day in St Albans visiting the cathedral, the town and lunching in a first-class Italian restaurant.

Events for 2024/2025

Click below to view our programme for 2024/2025 Events:

Events Programme

Preference is given to Members of the Friends – But it’s very easy to join! Only £10 annual and £50 Life Membership. Payment by BACS (please contact Church office for details at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or by cheque made payable to Friends of St Columba’s to the Honorary Treasurer, Alan Lennox c/o The Church Office.

Image: Seraphic Synagogue, Bevis Marks

Becoming a Member

Annual Subscription: £10
Life Membership: £50
Donations always welcome!

Payment Details

BACS
If you would like to pay by Bank Transfer, please contact the Hon. Secretary or Hon. Treasurer (via the Church Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for the relevant details.

Please ensure that you use the reference “Annual”, “Life” or “Donation” for your payment so we can allocate it accordingly

Pay by Cheque
Cheques to be made payable to "Friends of St Columba’s" Please send to:

Friends of St Columba’s
Honorary Treasurer
c/o St Columba’s Church of Scotland
Pont Street
London
SW1X 0BD

Please make a note at the back with Annual, Life or Donation

Contact Us

Isobel Carter,
The Honorary Secretary,
Friends of St Columba's
St Columba's Church of Scotland, Pont Street, London,
SW1X 0BD.

Tel: 07768 275 591
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JOINING THE FRIENDS

Please e-mail the form below in all cases to Alan Lennox, Honorary Treasurer so that he has your personal details and your payment: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; and to Isobel Carter, Honorary Secretary, so that she has you on the Membership List for all communication: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Circle which applies:

I have made payment by BACS;

I have sent a cheque payable to Friends of St Columba’s

By clicking submit you agree to how we use your data as explained in our privacy policy.

Submit

We look forward very much to welcoming you!

Opening Hours

The office is open from
9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m,
Monday to Friday.

There is a 24-hour answering machine service.

Connect with us

Find us

St Columba’s is located on Pont Street in Knightsbridge in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Church is within easy reach of three London Underground stations – Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line), South Kensington (Piccadilly, Circle and District Lines) and Sloane Square (Circle and District Lines).

	St. Columba's Pont Street London SW1X 0BD
	+44 (0)20-7584-2321
	office@stcolumbas.org.uk

Getting here by tube

Knightsbridge Station

Take the Harrods exit if open (front car if coming from the East, rear car if coming from the West). Come up the stairs to street level, carry on keeping Harrods on your right. Turn right into Basil Street. Carry straight on into Walton Place with St Saviour’s Church on your left. At the traffic lights, St Columba’s is to your left across the street. If the Harrods exit is closed, take the Sloane Street exit, turn right into Basil Street. Carry straight on past Harrods with the shop on your right, into Walton Place as before.

South Kensington Station

Come up the stairs out of the station and turn left into the shopping arcade. Turn left again into Pelham Street. At the traffic lights at the end of Pelham Street cross Brompton Road, turn left then immediately right into the narrow street of Draycott Avenue. After just a few yards turn left into Walton Street. Carry on walking up Walton Street until the traffic lights at the corner of Pont Street. Turn right and after a few steps you will be at St Columba’s!

Sloane Square Station

Cross over the square into Sloane Street. Walk along Sloane Street until the traffic lights at the corner of Pont Street. Turn left into Pont Street. St Columba’s will then be in sight.