Scots International
  Church Rotterdam

We are an English language Protestant Church in the city centre of Rotterdam. The church was started for Scots people who had moved to The Netherlands in the seventeenth century but today we have a much wider relevance to people from all over the world. We have a special appeal for those seeking an English language ministry and several people have said that they learned the English-language while coming here! Many who are preparing to go overseas or come to The Netherlands from other lands find us to be a like a spiritual bridge back to The Netherlands. We also appeal to those who seek spiritual relevance that is recognizably Reformed or Protestant but open to global and wider influences. Our City-centre church draws a diverse congregation from across the south and west of The Netherlands. Several descriptions come to mind for this English-speaking community... an old church with a new face... an historic church with a renewed relevance... But most importantly as one of the hymns puts it:‘All are welcome in this place!’

Our congregation was originally formed in 1643 from the large Scottish community of merchants, seamen and soldiers then living in Rotterdam, hence the name. The church has now a truly international make up with people mainly from Europe, Africa, America and Asia. We remain connected to the Church of Scotland through the Presbytery of Europe but we are also liaised to the Dutch Reformed Church (PKN). We are based in the heart of the city, aiming to serve the needs of the people of many nationalities and different denominational backgrounds living in Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague and other towns in the south-west of The Netherlands, with many travelling a considerable distance to worship.

The weekly Sunday service at 10.30 a.m. collects people from many different traditions and cultural backgrounds. The three choral groups and twelve elders reflect the forty nationalities in the congregation which is about one-third African and one-third Dutch. The choral groups include the ‘Choir’ (traditional and versatile classical), ‘Sonrise’ (new songs) and the ‘Joyful Singers’ (African rhythms and sounds). Communion is on the first Sunday of every month and open to people from any branch of the church of Jesus Christ. Arrangements to baptize children or adults can be made with the minister. After the service in the first-floor Sanctuary, coffee and refreshments for all ages are served in Lower Hall on the ground floor. Every second Sunday of the month, soup lunches are served reflect the variety of cultures in our community. The Crèche for children up to three years is a great way to meet other parents. The Sunday School is for children between three and twelve and the Youth Group caters for those between twelve and eighteen who meet after the start of the 10.30 service. This church observes the child protection / safeguarding scheme of the Church of Scotland. While the church services are upstairs, there is access for people with disabilities.
Services are recorded and can be listened to through the internet. The Church can be hired for weddings. The Lower Hall is also available to rent and each Sunday other churches and groups use the building. During the week there are opportunities to learn about Christian faith and the bible at the church and in fellowship groups.
There are opportunities to become involved in discipleship programmes, training courses, youth ministry, prayer services and network, world mission projects, social and cultural evenings, and support of uprooted people and of new immigrant churches as well as helping to build relationships with the local inner-city neighbourhood around the church building.