Funding Boost for Ayrshire Church

Friday June 26

A church from a deprived area of North Ayrshire has received a £40,000 grant from the National Churches Trust.

The money will contribute towards a £450,000 refurbishment of Ardeer Parish Church, Stevenston, including replacement of its tower roof, essential repairs to the stonework and stained glass windows, rewiring and new kitchens and toilets.

The church has also had grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland, and is now only around £40,000 short of its target. Work is underway and will hopefully be finished in the autumn.

Ardeer, which is linked with Stevenston: Livingstone, was designed in the gothic style by distinguished Edinburgh architect Hippolyte Blanc, and built in 1894-5. The red sandstone building sits in the heart of a former industrial community, which is listed as the eighth most deprived area in Scotland.

It plays a major part in the community; running a food bank and support ASFaCT, a faith based group which works to relieve some of the stresses on people living in the area.

Once the kitchen is upgraded, local social services hope to run a lunch club and other facilities to support the community.

The church has been vacant for four years, but six months ago was given permission to call a minister.

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