Greyfriars Kirk
A centre of Reformed worship and Covenanting resistance
About this Site
Greyfriars Kirk, opened for worship in 1620, became the spiritual heart of the Covenanting movement. It was within this church that the National Covenant was first read aloud before being taken to the Kirkyard for public signing. The Kirk served as a rallying point for those who believed in the right of the Scottish people to determine their own form of worship.
1660s–1680s
Historical Significance
As the birthplace of the Covenanting movement, Greyfriars Kirk represents the determination of Scottish Presbyterians to resist episcopal governance. The church witnessed passionate sermons that inspired ordinary Scots to stand firm in their convictions, even at great personal cost. It remains a living monument to the struggle for religious freedom.