St Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church

St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church stands on Dalmeny Street in Leith, Edinburgh. Built in 1882 as a Gothic Revival sandstone church, it was originally a United Presbyterian place of worship. The building was designed by Archibald Thomson, adapting plans from 1822. For decades it served local congregations before becoming a Ukrainian Catholic church in 1965. It is now one of the few Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish churches in Scotland. The church is also a Category B listed building. The church became a Ukrainian centre after World War II. A large Ukrainian diaspora settled in Edinburgh, with around 700–800 people by the 1980s. In 1965, Father Mycola Matyczak opened the first Ukrainian Catholic mission here. The community transformed the interior, adding a large icon of Saint Andrew above the main altar. In 1983, ahead of Ukraine’s millennium of Catholicism, the church was refurbished with Eastern Catholic features. A new wooden belfry, steeple, and ironwork with the Ukrainian trident were added. Inside, the church displays Eastern Catholic traditions. The icon of Saint Andrew dominates the main altar. Ornamental ironwork with the tryzub encircles the building. The wooden belfry and steeple rise above the roof. The stone walls and Gothic Revival style remain from its earlier use. The church serves as a spiritual and cultural centre for Edinburgh’s Ukrainian community. Its history reflects both Scottish and Ukrainian heritage.