Located at the border between the Bruntsfield and Tollcross areas of the city at the junction of Barclay Place and Wright's Houses, it was designed by Frederick Thomas Pilkington (1832–98) – starting in 1862[1] and completed in 1864 – mainly from a bequest of £10,000[2] left by Miss Mary Barclay of Carlton Terrace[3] for the building of a church for the Free Church of Scotland.

The first minister of the congregation was Rev Dr James Hood Wilson, DD, the first service of public worship being held on 23 December 1864.

Chalmers-Lauriston Church was purchased by the City of Edinburgh Council and sold to the Arab Social League for use as a cultural centre, but has remained derelict until the late 2010s when it was converted to a Mosque.

The marble pulpit (also by Pilkington) holds a prominent location under the organ pipes with a central view over the nave.

They are designed by Sydney Mitchell in a complementary style to Pilkington's original and built in matching stone.