The Church
A Church for all people
We are a congregation of the Church of Scotland (a church in the Presbyterian tradition and part of the world-wide family of Reformed Churches), worshipping in our beautiful and historic building which dates from the 15th century.
The Church of the Holy Rude was founded in 1129 as the Parish Church of Stirling and built on the Castle rock. In the 19th century, the centre of population drifted downhill into the new suburbs, where many new churches were built. The church provides the third largest public hall in Stirling city, which follows from its original role as the Parish Kirk of Old Stirling, where the public gathered for all big occasions.
Several of these new churches have since combined, as reflected in the composite names of current congregations. In 2009, the Presbytery of Stirling created a new linkage between two of the city centre’s congregations, namely the Viewfield Erskine Church and the Holy Rude.
We are a friendly and welcoming faith community, open to all who come to us as we seek to live out our Christian faith in offering hospitality to all who come, no matter what your age, background, culture or gender, and whether you come only once, or become a regular member of our congregation every Sunday.
Our worship style is traditional, and we have a reputation for good music and liturgy, and thought-provoking preaching.
As a Presbyterian church, congregations of the Church of Scotland are governed by a Kirk Session, a council consisting of the Minister along with ordained Elders appointed from among the membership of the church.