THE DEVASTATING fire that swept through a historic Perthshire church six weeks ago has been reflected upon by a beleaguered but not defeated community.

Six weeks after the gale-fanned blaze reduced Bankfoot church to a roofless shell, congregation members held an Easter sunrise service at Little Glenshee.

The Very Rev Dr James Simpson, locum minister at Bankfoot, said, “Courier readers who recall the front-page pictures of the blaze may well be interested in what has happened since that fateful Ash Wednesday.

“It was from different locations and perspectives that the villagers viewed the raging inferno. What a vast range of thoughts and emotions there were. Everyone in Bankfoot had their personal story to tell.”

Dr Simpson said villagers of all ages had been affected by the dramatic blaze.

“The collage in the primary school of the pictures that Primary 7 pupils painted, and the stories they wrote, highlights the impact the fire had on the children who viewed the church roof crashing in,” he said.

“For older people the historic church on the hill held many fond memories.

“Many had tears in their eyes as they thought of all the banners lovingly sown by members, the stained glass windows and the many memorial gifts reduced to dust and ashes.”

Dr Simpson admits it has been a hard time for locals but believes they are ready to move on.

“The Sunday after the fire I quoted the children’s hymn, ‘The Church is not a building, the Church is not a steeple... the Church is a people’,” he said.

“Though the Bankfoot people would not pretend the day of the fire was anything but a dark day in the story of their village, this weekend they gathered at Little Glenshee for an Easter sunrise service.

“Later, in the church hall, they celebrated the good news of Easter. And 45 years in the ministry has taught me that no loss is dead loss,” he continued.

“How impressed we have been by all the support neighbouring churches have given us—in providing us with hymn books, offering plates and many other church necessities.

“The faith of the Bankfoot members that God can often use setbacks in ways beyond our imagining is fortunately strong.

“They are aware that, though time does not heal all wounds, time demands that they move on and make new beginnings.”

Defiant members of the congregation are refusing to concentrate on the negative aspects of the fire, preferring to look to the future.

“They are determined to rebuild,” Dr Simpson said.

“They are also looking forward to the day when the walls of their new sanctuary resound with praise.”