It began centuries ago as a small gathering in a wine merchant’s warehouse – and became one of the world’s most diverse religious congregations.

Now a new minister is wanted for the Scots International Church Rotterdam, whose flock is made up of more than 40 nationalities.

It was originally formed in 1643 from the large Scottish community of merchants, seamen and soldiers then living in the Dutch city.

The last minister, the Reverend Derek Lawson, left earlier this year after four years.

An advert for a successor, which is to be published in next month’s issue of Life and Work, the Kirk’s house magazine, asks: “Is Rotterdam your next port of call?

“We are carrying forward a 375+ years’ legacy of a Church of Scotland presence in the heart of the largest port city in Europe.

“This is a modern, cosmopolitan and exciting place to live and work and impact the world for the Kingdom of God.”

It adds: “We have a regular attendance of over a hundred, an active Sunday School and Youth Group, several music groups, and many activities.”

The church’s history stretches back to the first half of the 17th century, when Rotterdam was increasingly important as a port and became a magnet for Scottish merchants and workers.

This resulted in calls for city magistrates to be allowed to found a Scots congregation there.

The petition was granted and the magistrates secured access to a warehouse in Wijnstraat, with the Presbytery of Edinburgh appointing the Reverend Alexander Petrie, from Perthshire, as the first minister.

Rapid growth followed and the church opened both a school and poor house. In 1694, its congregation was recorded as more than 1000.

A year later, in 1695, foundation stones were brought over from Scotland and the first church building was erected in the heart of Rotterdam.

However, the site was destroyed in the Second World War. Construction of the current facility, in the city centre, was completed in 1952.

Today, the church’s congregation is around 30 per cent British and 30% Dutch.

It also has a significant number of Americans and Canadians, and boasts a growing number of members from countries across Asia and Africa.

As well as tending to the needs of an exceptionally diverse church congregation, the successful candidate will be based in one of Europe’s most dynamic and successful cities.

Home to more than 180 nationalities and with a population of around 635,000, Rotterdam was voted 2015 European City of the Year by the Academy of Urbanism and is also known as the “Gateway to Europe”.

It suffered huge damage during the Second World War but today hosts skyscrapers by major architects such as Rem Koolhaas and Piet Blom.

“The congregation is as diverse, multicultural, welcoming, and no-nonsense as the city itself,” states the church’s advert.

Its parish profile adds: “The church is the spiritual home for many international students and business people in Rotterdam and beyond who are looking for a church with services conducted in English.

“Being an English-speaking church in Dutch society it is important for us to retain our unique identity in this city no matter what challenges may come our way.

“Rotterdam is a modern, wellappointed and growing city, with its gigantic port providing a dominant influence on most aspects of business and social life.

“It is truly a cosmopolitan city with English being spoken by the majority of its inhabitants.”

But it warns: “We need to continue to develop ways of addressing our declining income in order to ensure that we have the resources to be able to continue to be a witness of the Gospel of Christ in Rotterdam.”

The new minister should feel at home in the company of Christians from different cultures and diverse church traditions.

They should also hold a “moderate theological position within the evangelical-liberal landscape”, as well as a mediating stance between the Reformed and charismatic expressions of faith.