The A-listed church that witnessed the funeral of Peter Pan creator Sir JM Barrie may roll back the years thanks to heritage funding.
St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kirriemuir is the only completed design by renowned ecclesiastical architect Sir Ninian Comper in Scotland, and was built in 1905 after its 18th Century predecessor was destroyed by fire.
Barrie’s funeral was held there in 1937 and the Gothic revival-style building has a stained glass window dedicated to the writer’s family.
The old St Mary’s was one of the first churches built for the episcopal faith in Scotland following repeal of the penal statutes in 1792, and there has been worship under the saint’s name in town since the 16th Century.
But the building is suffering from water ingress and the congregation undertook to begin a £230,000 restoration next year.
And the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded an indicative grant of £92,900, alongside £77,800 from Historic Scotland and £3,000 from Scotland’s Churches Trust with the possibility of more to come.
Bishop of the St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane diocese and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend David Chillingworth, said St Mary’s is “one of the most beautiful and architecturally significant churches” in the area.
He added: “The congregation and the wider church are determined to ensure that it continues to be at the heart of the community as a place of prayer, and of welcome and mission.
“We welcome this support, which will help us to sustain it for the future.”
Canon Bob Harley, the Rector of St Mary’s, said: “The generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will allow essential conservation work to be carried out and will improve the ambience for our visitors.”
The project has up to two years to submit proposals for a firm award.
St Mary’s will be open to the public on September 5 between 10am and 4pm as part of Angus Doors Open Day.
For St Mary’s Harvest Festival, the building will open on October 3 from 10am until 4pm, and from noon to 4pm the next day.