Findhorn Church Development Committee investing grants of £25k in historic building
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A VILLAGE church is to share in a £473,700 funding payout from the National Churches Trust (NCT).
A £15,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant will help fund work on Findhorn Church to keep the building at the heart of the community.
The church is also receiving a £10,000 Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant from the Wolfson Foundation, on the recommendation of the NCT.
Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards is NCT vice president.
He explained: “The grants will facilitate repairs to a wooden floor and electrics and installation of an accessible toilet, safeguarding unique local heritage and helping Findhorn Church continue to support local people.”
Findhorn Church was built 1843 by architect John Urquhart. It was repaired and altered in 1872 but is otherwise unchanged, still features a Free Church interior and retains its original pews.
The building has a plastered doorway and Upper Lunettes, showing similarities to the work of architect John Cousins of Edinburgh.
Findhorn Church Development Committee (FCDC) is overseeing the restoration project. The building provides resources and activities for locals and visitors so they want it to continue to be used by other organisations such as the adjacent Findhorn Village Centre and Hostel.
In addition to the National Churches Trust and Wolfson Foundation grants, it is hoped the project will start soon using a bequest from the late David Urquhart whose legacy started the project, and funding from EB Scotland, Scotland’s Churches Trust and a Ministries and Missions Grant from the Church of Scotland.
In addition to repairs to the wooden floor and electrics, and installation of an accessible toilet, the complete project will also feature installation of a modern heating system and replacement of an aged kitchen, as well as an upgraded church hall.
A FCDC spokesperson said: “We will make the church more accessible and increase community use.”
Chief executive at the Wolfson Foundation, Paul Ramsbottom, believes churches play a central role in the spiritual life of a community.
He added: “They are an integral, much loved, part of our cultural heritage. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the National Churches Trust on this important programme, supporting the preservation of these remarkable and wonderful buildings.”
A total of 59 churches and chapels in the UK will benefit from grants from the National Churches Trust.
£155,700 of the grants has been provided by the Wolfson Foundation.
