History
- St Mary Magdalene’s was founded in 1961 and opened in 1967 to serve the post-war. Magdalene and Bingham housing estates. The new parish was bounded by Milton Road West on the north and the railway bridge over Duddingston Park South on the south.
In November 2013, St Mary Magdalene’s and St John’s Portobello came together as sister parishes and at present share Fr Jock as their Parish Priest, Fr Shaiju as their Assistant Priest and Deacon Eddie as their Deacon.- Our sister parishes are part of St Giles’ Deanery, which covers the City of Edinburgh. St John’s and St Mary Magdalene’s are also in a diocesan cluster of parishes with St Teresa’s, Craigmillar, St Ninian’s and St Triduana’s, Restalrig, and St Mary, Star of the Sea, Leith.
The Church Building
- Architecturally, the church belongs to the modern liturgical tradition of the mid-twentieth century. St Mary Magdalene was designed with simplicity, clarity, and community worship at its heart. Its clean lines, modest scale, and functional design reflect an architectural approach that sought to create welcoming parish churches centred on the celebration of the Mass and the active participation of the congregation.
- The interior of the church is arranged to focus attention on the sanctuary and altar, emphasising the communal nature of Catholic worship. Natural light and open space contribute to an atmosphere of prayerful simplicity, while the building’s understated character reflects the mission of a parish church rooted in everyday community life.
- St Mary Magdalene also forms an important part of the social and spiritual history of Bingham itself. Built during a period of significant housing development in east Edinburgh, the church became a centre of faith, education, and pastoral care for local families. Since its foundation, the parish has continued to serve generations of worshippers and remains a visible sign of Catholic faith and witness within the community.
The Parish Today
St Mary Magdalen is known for its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to:
- Social justice and peace
- Environmental responsibility as an Eco-Congregation
- Support for those in need through the St Vincent de Paul Society
In addition it works closely with St John’s RC Primary School and Holy Rood High School.