St Andrew's Church, Rome

St Andrew's Church
Façade and courtyard
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
41°54′11″N 12°29′30″E
Location	Rome
Country	Italy
Denomination	Church of Scotland
Architecture
Architectural type	Church
Completed	1885

St Andrew's, Rome: interior, showing central pulpit

St Andrew's Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland in Rome, Italy, belonging to the Church's International Presbytery. Services take place every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in Via XX Settembre, 7 00187 Rome. Rev Aaron Stevens is acting as Interim Moderator as the charge is currently vacant.

History

The congregation began in the early 1860s with a small group of Scots and American Presbyterians who met in the neighbourhood of the Spanish Steps. A first building was opened in 1871 near the Porta Flaminia. The present building, about halfway between the Piazza della Repubblica and the Palazzo del Quirinale, was opened in early 1885.

The Italian military intelligence previously occupied the second and third floors.

Description

Planning permission was granted only on condition that the building not from the outside look like a church, thus the architecture is similar to that of the various Italian government ministries on the same street. The building is set back a little from the street, with an enclosed forecourt, and is constructed on four levels. The church itself takes up the whole of the ground floor; above this are offices, a manse, and a broad roof terrace with views over the Vatican City.

The interior architecture of the church reflects the older Presbyterian tradition, with a central pulpit and minimal decoration. A memorial to Scottish servicemen lost in the Italian campaign has a prominent position.

See also

• Sant'Andrea degli Scozzesi
• List of Church of Scotland parishes
• All Saints' Church, Rome (Anglican)

External links

• Official website