A Brechin church linked with a proposed union with the city’s closure-threatened cathedral has received a six-figure financial boost for essential repairs and heritage promotion.
Following an earlier Heritage Lottery Fund development grant of almost £25,000 to the Gardner Memorial Church, Historic Environment Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund have jointly agreed to a further award of almost £220,000 for the A-listed building’s repair and renewal project.
The project will carry out essential conservation work, provide interpretive material and new digital access to the building, enabling visitors to better understand its unique detail and the wider community to participate in a variety of related heritage activities.
The church was designed in the American Romanesque/Arts and Crafts style by Sir John James Burnet, a contemporary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
It contains a number of unique features including several ornate Tynecastle Tapestry covered doors which will be restored by the Scottish Conservation Studio during the course of the project.
An initial exhibition displaying various aspects of the church’s architecture, history and heritage will run from October 24 to November 1.
Conservation work will be undertaken by Graeme W. Cheyne (Builders) Ltd of Aberdeen under the supervision of conservation architects James F Stephen of Glamis.
The Gardner, built in the late 1890s following a bequest of £7,000 from the late Reverend Alexander Gardner in memory of his son, together with a matching donation by the local Milne family of Mooranbank, could welcome the congregation of Brechin Cathedral if the two congregations unite.
A continuing decline in attendance and financial support at the cathedral, along with the impending departure of the minister and a debt of £140,000, prompted union talks.
Committees from both churches will now meet to negotiate a Draft Basis of Union and, if this is reached, it will go before each Kirk Session independently before a vote by the sessions and congregations.
Peter George, treasurer and project manager at the Gardner, welcomed the major investment which he says has secured the long-term future of the building.
He said: “We are obviously delighted to receive this level of support.
“It means that, unlike so many churches, the place has a distinct future and we are planning for that future.
“It is the result of a significant effort of the congregation to ensure that is the case.
“There is a proposed union with the cathedral, who knows how that will result, but either way the Gardner has a future in terms of the building.
“One of the things proposed, if that union does come to fruition, is that the united congregation will meet at the Gardner.”
Kirstene Hair, Conservative MP for Angus said: “I have been very supportive of the regeneration work planned for Brechin’s Gardner Memorial Church and am delighted they will be receiving this vital award to help their plans.
“I know how hard those behind this project have been working to deliver an ambitious programme of works that will deliver a renewed centre piece for our community that can be enjoyed by everyone.”
Lucy Casot, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “Scotland’s historic and diverse places of worship are so often at the heart of our communities.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, HLF can fund repairs and improvements to facilities and visitor information. Gardner repair and renewal project is an excellent example of how HLF can help conserve a much loved building so it can continue to serve its local community.”
