Augustine

What Augustine does

Augustine United Church (AUC) is a registered Scottish charity (No. SC000385) and a congregation of the United Reformed Church, operating from a city-centre building at 41-43 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, that opened in 1861. The organisation describes itself as an active, inclusive Christian community welcoming people of all races, genders, sexualities, ages, faiths, and abilities, and is recognised as a 'trans-affirming and celebrating' community. Its core functional offerings include Sunday worship services delivered both in-person and online via Zoom and YouTube, pastoral care, weddings, funerals, baptisms, and a modular portfolio of specialist ministries — notably the joint 'Our Tribe' LGBTQI+ ministry operated with the Metropolitan Community Church, a neurodivergent-affirming space, bereavement support, Contextual Bible Study, a Carbon Literacy course, and a heritage-tourism programme (Urban Pilgrimages).

The organisation's revenue model combines voluntary donations (with Gift Aid reclaiming an additional 25p per £1 from HMRC) and one-off room-hire fees for four distinct spaces (Sanctuary, Iona, Mull, Studio), with pricing published at the unit level (e.g., £120/4hr for the 99-capacity Studio). A seasonal but material revenue stream is generated through a venue partnership with Paradise Green Promotions during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each August. The building also hosts tenant organisations (Christian Aid, Jubilee Scotland) and regular user groups (Edinburgh Royal Choral Union, NHS Mental Health Chaplaincy Drop-In). Technology is limited to standard consumer platforms — WordPress (website), Zoom and YouTube (live and archived worship), and Facebook (community engagement) — with no proprietary software or API infrastructure.

AUC operates within a multi-partner ecumenical ecosystem: a Local Ecumenical Partnership (TLC) with Greyfriars Kirk and St Columba's-by-the-Castle dating from 2002, an aligned-organisation relationship with the Metropolitan Community Church, and an honorary URC chaplaincy at Edinburgh University. Day-to-day operations are run by a small staff team of approximately 23, led by Minister Rev Fiona Bennett (in post since 2009, and URC General Assembly Moderator 2022-2023). The organisation is governed by a Church Council with elected elders and an Office-Bearer structure, and is sustained by a community-led, event-driven engagement model anchored in Edinburgh, with global reach through online worship.

Name

Augustine

Legal name

Augustine United Church

Website

https://augustine.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1861

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Augustine United Church is a progressive, inclusive Christian congregation (URC) in Edinburgh offering worship, pastoral care, and community programmes — including LGBTQI+ ministry, environmental education, and heritage tourism — funded by donations and room hire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Progressive Christian worship
• Inclusive church community
• LGBT affirming ministry
• Community venue hire
• Heritage urban pilgrimages

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Offerings: Regular or one-off donations from members and supporters via PayPal or bank transfer. Gift Aid declarations allow the church to claim additional 25p per £1 donated from HMRC. Legacy giving through wills also mentioned as significant income source.
2. Room Hire: Hiring out church facilities (Sanctuary, Iona, Mull, Studio) to community groups, organizations, and for events. Revenue from hourly/session rates for various meeting and performance spaces.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Augustine United Church is a progressive, inclusive Christian congregation in central Edinburgh delivering weekly Sunday worship (in-person and online), life-event ceremonies (weddings, funerals, baptisms), pastoral care, learning programs (Bible study, Carbon Literacy), and community ministries (Our Tribe LGBT+, Junior Church, Roots student community, Neurodivergent Affirming Space, Remembering Space bereavement support). It supplements donation income with paid hire of four on-site rooms (Sanctuary, Studio, Iona, Mull) to community groups, cultural organisations, and Edinburgh Fringe theatre companies.

Product overview

Augustine United Church offers a diverse portfolio of spiritual services centered around progressive Christian worship and community support. Core offerings include Sunday Worship Services (held in-person and online via Zoom and YouTube), the Our Tribe LGBT+ Ministry (in partnership with Metropolitan Community Church), and Junior Church children's programs. The church provides venue hire services through four distinct spaces: the Sanctuary, Studio (capacity 99), Iona, and Mull rooms. Life event ceremonies include weddings, funerals, and baptisms. Educational programs include Contextual Bible Study, Carbon Literacy Course, and the Neurodivergent Affirming Space. Additional community offerings include the Roots student community, Remembering Space bereavement support, and Urban Pilgrimages heritage explorations. All services are delivered with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and social justice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Our Tribe: Joint LGBTQI+ ministry with Metropolitan Community Church

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Sunday worship services held in-person at the Edinburgh church and streamed online via Zoom and YouTube, featuring prayers, Bible readings, silence, images, preaching, music for reflection, poetry, and stories. Open to all regardless of background.
• Our Tribe LGBT+ Ministry

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greyfriars Kirk (Church of Scotland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Local Ecumenical Partnership (TLC) signed on Pentecost 2002. Committed to working together in Christ's name. Share four united services annually. Joint initiatives on peace and justice issues and local social concerns, particularly regarding homeless and underprivileged in Old Town Edinburgh. Ministers licensed to conduct communion across all three churches.
• St Columba's-by-the-Castle (Scottish Episcopal Church)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Part of TLC Local Ecumenical Partnership. Deep engagement on peace and justice issues. Joint worship services and ecumenical events including Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Mutual licensing of ministers for communion services.
• Metropolitan Community Church (MCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAligned Organization relationship with MCC. Joint LGBTQI+ ministry called 'Our Tribe.' MCC clergy involved with Our Tribe are members of AUC Church Council. Partnership offers affirming space for LGBT+ Christians in Edinburgh.
• Paradise Green PromotionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNot-for-profit theatre organization transforms AUC into theatre venues during Edinburgh Festival Fringe each August. Core team of volunteers. Makes AUC and The Vault two of the most welcoming Fringe venues.
• Christian AidminorOthersChristian organization working globally to eradicate poverty. Has office space within AUC building. Supports AUC's mission of justice and well-being.
• Jubilee ScotlandminorOthersPart of international Jubilee movement campaigning against debts binding the poorest nations. Continues Jubilee 2000 coalition work in Scotland. Has office space within AUC building.
• Edinburgh Interfaith AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUC is a member of Edinburgh Interfaith Association, engaging in interfaith dialogue and collaboration in Edinburgh.
• EcoCongregation ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUC is a member of EcoCongregation Scotland, working on environmental justice and creation care as part of the congregation's mission.
• Edinburgh University ChaplaincycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of AUC's ministers serves as Honorary URC Chaplain at Edinburgh University. Multi-faith and belief team supports students and staff with diverse spiritual needs.
• Roots EdinburghminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUC actively supports Roots Edinburgh, a grace-driven community for university students offering support, fun events, and space to explore faith.
• Student Christian Movement (SCM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUC is a supporter of SCM. Access to SCM's theological resources and learning materials. Students can access SCM's introductory resources and stories on various topics.
• United Reformed Church (URC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAUC is a congregation of the United Reformed Church. Subject to URC General Assembly decisions. Benefits from URC national resources, training, and ecumenical relationships. URC supports AUC through Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland for Urban Pilgrimages.
• Edinburgh Mental Health Chaplaincy Drop InminorOthersNHS-run mental health drop-in service that meets regularly at AUC. Part of AUC's commitment to mental health ministry.
• Edinburgh Royal Choral UnionminorOthersMusical group that meets regularly at AUC for rehearsals and performances.
• Resisting Transphobia in Edinburgh (RTiE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization championing trans liberation. AUC provides meeting space monthly. Several AUC members attend RTiE meetings regularly.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• One Body One Faith: UK LGBTQI+ Christian movement supporting affirming congregations and theology. Direct overlap in mission to LGBTQI+ Christians and allies in the UK.
• Greenbelt Festival: UK progressive Christian arts and faith festival with overlapping values around inclusivity, LGBTQI+ affirmation, and social justice. Audience overlap with AUC's progressive Christian community.
• Soho House London: Inclusive Catholic Worker community in London with a hospitality model for marginalised people. Operates as a values-driven inclusive community comparable in social-justice orientation.
• Centre for Progressive Religion: Network of progressive Christian congregations in the UK. Membership-based peer comparable in values and congregational model.

Direct peers

• Iona Community: Scottish ecumenical Christian community known for progressive values, social justice, and inclusive spirituality. Comparable in progressive Christian identity and Scottish heritage.
• Metropolitan Community Church: Global LGBTQI+-affirming Christian denomination with which AUC holds an Aligned Organisation relationship and operates the joint Our Tribe ministry. Most direct peer in mission, theology, and target community.
• St Columba's-by-the-Castle: Scottish Episcopal Church congregation in Edinburgh and TLC partner. Comparable in inclusive Christian identity, Old Town location, and ecumenical joint ministry.
• Greyfriars Kirk: Historic Church of Scotland congregation in Edinburgh's Old Town and one of AUC's three TLC ecumenical partners. Direct operational peer in shared ministry and joint services.

Broad incumbents

• St Martin-in-the-Fields: Iconic inclusive Anglican church in central London with comparable night-chapel ministry, arts programming, venue hire, and outreach to marginalised communities.

Regional players

• Dignity/Washington: LGBTQI+-affirming Catholic movement headquartered in the US. Comparable in mission to LGBTQI+ Christians seeking affirming faith communities, though serving a different denomination and geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AugustineUnited
• Facebookfacebook.com/AugustineUnited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/augustine

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Augustine