A £600,000 project is under way to ensure one of Scotland’s oldest working churches stands for another century.
Leuchars St Athernase Church, which has stood at its prominent Main Street location since 1150 and is a grade A listed building, had become damp ridden and was in need of urgent, and extensive, repairs.
But the scaffolding has now been up for two months and work to repair the roof, mend stonework using traditional materials and improve drainage is expected to be finished this winter.
The Leuchars St Athernase Regeneration Project Team secured a maximum grant of £250,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) toward the restoration.
Church minister Rev John Duncan said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players.
“Leuchars St Athernase is a jewel in the history of Scotland. We acknowledge our sincere thanks to HLF in keeping our 12th century church as part of the fabric of Leuchars for current and future generations to realise the importance of such a church.”
The unique church comprises a Norman chancel and apse and a Victorian nave extension, which was added in 1857 from locally quarried sandstone.
In previous years, the stonework was patched up using cement and this will be replaced with traditional lime mortar sourced from Cornwall.
Stirling-based firm Laing Traditional Masonry have been brought in to carry out the work.
Carol Petrie, who is leading the regeneration project, said: “We’ve got a conservation architect standing by to give advice about the materials being used, so the materials being used are in keeping with the age of the church.
“It’s possibly 100 years since anything major has been done to it and this will hopefully safeguard the church for another 100 years to come.
“It will be really amazing to see it all restored.”
Lucy Casot, head of HLF 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 funds urgent structural repairs and also improved facilities and visitor information.
“Leuchars St Athernase Church of Scotland renovation project is an excellent example of how HLF can help conserve a much loved building so it can continue to serve its local community.”
While the scaffolding is up, the congregation has been worshipping in the lower hall of the Coach House.
