Mayfield Free Church was established as congregation in 1875 in the developing suburbs of Newington, the nearest Free Churches to the north being Buccleuch and Newington.

The congregation first met in Clare Hall School at 18 Minto Street, later moving to Mayfield Road into what is now the Lower Hall at Newington Trinity Church (opened 1876). The church, The designed by the renowned Scottish architect, Hippolyte Jean Blanc, opened in 1879, but the spire was not completed until 1895. Known as ‘Mayfield North’ from 1929 to 1957, then ‘Mayfield & Fountainhall’ from 1957 to 1968, then 'Mayfield Church' from 1968 to 1993, then 'Mayfield Salisbury' from 1993 to 2024 when it finally become know as Newington Trinity Church.

In 1969, the roof of the church was completely destroyed in a fire. The church reopened in 1971 following a substantial restoration and modernisation.

In August 2018 the Upper Hall was refurbished and re-named the 'Bill McDondald Hall' in memory of Revd Dr William J G McDonald (1924-2015) and a lectureship was set up in his memory, the first lecture being given in October 2018 by his son-in-law, previously a BBC correspondent, Allan Little

MAYFIELD CHURCH - 1975 to 2024

Some more recent history by Revd Ralph Smith

As described above, Mayfield Free Church was established in 1875, and the above gives details of the many changes which ocurred up until the centenary in 1975.

The following article gives brief details of some more recent changes

It was in January 1993 that Salisbury Church joined with Mayfield, under the present name of ‘Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church". The Salisbury building, on the corner of Grange Road and Causewayside, was sold, but the Salisbury War Memorials were installed in the North Transept of Mayfield Salisbury, and their Morris window placed and illuminated in the South Transept. They also brought with them their fine Victorian Communion table, lectern and font, all of which have been recently restored and are now back in use. Images of the war memorials, the window and the Communion table can be found in the Gallery. The money raised from the sale of Salisbury church and manse was used partly to provide help in housing the former Salisbury minister, the Revd Brian Casebow, who with his wife retired to Cupar.

In recent years there have also been changes in the original Mayfield buildings. The original manse on West Mayfield, ‘Church House’, the ground floor of which is used as meeting rooms with the Church Officer’s flat above, has had the flat extended to make it more suitable for family living. In the church itself an Allen 3-manual digital organ replaced the pipe organ in 1996. In 1997 a new extension and vestibule were constructed for the entrance on West Mayfield. 

2009, however, was the big year. An ambitious programme of ‘Renovation and Renewal’ was undertaken. For five months the congregation worshipped at the Methodist church in Nicolson Square while the sanctuary at Mayfield Salisbury was completely refurbished. It was rewired, relit and the sound system updated. The pews were removed, shortened, cleaned, and replaced so as to allow wider aisles. The whole interior was re-painted, the flooring sanded and re-varnished, and the aisles re-carpeted. The apse ceiling was re-boarded and painted in traditional dark blue with gold stars.

The stained glass windows are a particular feature of the building and a rolling programme of restoration on them was begun. In 2010 Dr Elizabeth Cumming collaborated with others in putting together a most beautiful book, ‘Thy Story in Glass’, detailing their history and biblical significance. This is available from the church office, price £5.00, all profits going to the Renovation Fund. The lower hall, which had been the first worship space from 1875-79, was also rewired, re-lit, re-painted and new radiators were installed. Then in 2010 the manse received a much-needed restructuring of the kitchen and rear ground floor area, new bathroom and shower room, and was repainted inside and out. All this work was accomplished with remarkable efficiency and as near to time and budget as anyone could hope for. Credit is thus due to members of the congregation who supervised, and organised, were hands on, and gave of their time and skill voluntarily to what was a most successful project. 

- Revd Ralph Smith, 25/09/10

Downloads

MAYFIELD 100 1875 to 1975
This booklet was produced in 1975 to mark the centenary of Mayfield Church. It was entitled 'A selection of historical notes, recollections and illustrations to record the Centenary of Mayfield Church.' It was edited by J.A.R.Moffat and published by the Publications Committee, Mayfield Church, Edinburgh 1975. It can be download and read in its entirety at the link below.

MEMORIES OF MAYFIELD Sheriff Nigel Thomson C.B.E. (1926-2011)  Nigel Thomson's fascinating booklet of recollections and photographs of earlier times at Mayfield Church can be downloaded and read in its entirety below.