St Columba's Church, London

St Columba’s Church stands in Pont Street, Knightsbridge, near Harrods. The building was designed by Sir Edward Maufe and has Grade II listing. It belongs to the Church of Scotland and serves one of London’s two Scottish Presbyterian congregations. The church is dedicated to St Columba, the 6th-century Irish saint who spread Christianity in Scotland. A previous church on the site was destroyed in a wartime bombing raid on 10 May 1941. The present building opened in 1955, also designed by Maufe, who also designed Guildford Cathedral. The war memorial chapel was dedicated on 25 March 1956. The current minister, the Rev C. Angus MacLeod, was inducted in 2012. The church shares its minister with St Andrew’s Church in Newcastle upon Tyne. Three former ministers of St Columba’s later served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The Highland dance society London Reels meets there monthly from September to June. Inside, the church contains the war memorial chapel and the main worship space. The building’s contemporary 1950s design contrasts with its historic setting. The Grade II listed structure sits among Kensington’s well-kept streets. Outside, Pont Street’s quiet elegance complements the church’s presence. The nearby department store Harrods adds to the area’s busy retail atmosphere.